Oral physostigmine as treatment for dementia of the Alzheimer type: a long-term outpatient trial.
Six patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT), treated with oral physostigmine and followed from 9 to 27 months (mean +/- SD, 17.8 +/- 7.3 months), were matched for sex, age, initial degree of dementia, and length of follow-up with six control patients who did not receive oral physostigmine. The small sample size precluded drawing definite conclusions about overall efficacy; however, three in the physostigmine group did not deteriorate during the course of follow-up while all of the controls deteriorated although the difference was nonsignificant. The data generated in these patients provides evidence of the safety of long-term trials of oral physostigmine. The possible role of cholinesterase inhibition in retarding the progression of DAT is discussed.
Jenike
M A
MA
Division on Aging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
Albert
M S
MS
Baer
L
L
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D010919:Placebos; D010830:Physostigmine