What Is Vinpocetine Used for Today?
Some evidence supports the idea that vinpocetine can enhance memory and mental function, especially in those with Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions. It is also widely marketed for enhancing memory in healthy people, but there is no real evidence that it is helpful for this purpose. It has been hypothesized that vinpocetine helps people with Alzheimer’s disease by enhancing blood flow in the brain, safeguarding brain cells against damage, and inhibiting a substance known as phosphodiesterase. 1-3 Based on these proposed actions, vinpocetine has also been tried as a treatment for reducing brain damage following strokes .
