Vascular cognitive impairment no dementia (VCIND) is very common among the aged and tends to progress to dementia, but there have been no proper large-scale intervention trials dedicated to it. VCIND caused by subcortical ischemic small vessel disease (hereinafter, subcortical VCIND) represents a relatively homogeneous disease process and is a suitable target for therapeutic trials investigating VCIND. Preclinical trials showed that Butylphthalide Soft Capsules is effective for cognitive impairment of vascular origin. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the investigators apply fMRI study the effects of Butylphthalide Soft Capsules in patients with VCIND.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Literate Han Chinese aged from 40 to 65 years

• MMSE ≥24

• Normal or slightly impaired activities of daily living

• The MRI entry criteria are as follows:

  • Subcortical small infarcts (3-20 mm in diameter),or one or more strategically located subcortical small infarcts in the caudate nucleus globus pallidus, or thalamus
  • Absence of cortical and watershed infarcts, hemorrhages, hydrocephalus, and WMLs with specific causes (e.g., multiple sclerosis); and
  • No hippocampal or entorhinal cortex atrophy (scored 0 according to medial temporal lobe atrophy scale of Scheltens)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with Diabetes mellitus
• Disorders other than subcortical VCIND that may affect cognition; the score of Hamilton depression scale more than 17 or schizophrenia
• Clinically significant gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, respiratory, infectious, endocrine, or cardiovascular system disease; cancer; alcoholism; drug addiction; use of medications that may affect cognitive functioning
• Known hypersensitivity to celery
• Inability to undergo a brain MRI