Abstract: Aim To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tablet huperzine-A(Hup)in patients with benign senescent forgetfulness.Methods Using multicenter, prospective, double-blind, parallel, placebo controlled and randomized method,50 patients were administrated orally 0.15mg (3 tablets)Hup and 50 patients were given po 3 tablets of placebo bid for 4 wk.All patients were evaluated with Wechsler memory scale, mini-mental state examination scale,treatment emergency symptom scale, and measured BP,HR,ECG, EEG, ALT, AKP, BUN, Cr, Hb, WBC, and urine routine.Results Seventy four percent of patients treated with Hup (37/50)showed improvements in their memory (P<0.01)and cognitive functions(P<0.01).The efficacy of Hup was better than placebo(40%,20/50)(P<0.05).No severe cholinergic side effect was found.Conclusion Hup is an ideal drug for symptomatic treatment of patients with benign senescent forgetfulness.

Key words: huperzine-A, cholinesterase inhibitors, benign senescent forgetfulness, Wechsler scale, memory, cognition disorder