title: Further analysis of the cognitive effects of tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA) in Alzheimer's disease: assessment of attentional and mnemonic function using CANTAB.
abstract: Results of a placebo controlled cross-over trial (N = 89) of the anticholinesterase drug THA as a treatment for dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) are reported, with reference to previous trials of the drug and the cholinergic hypothesis of aging and dementia. Using computerised tests sensitive to specific aspects of memory and attention, evidence is found for improvements in attentional function rather than memory, in patients with mild to moderate DAT. Although these improvements were significant, they were small and restricted to certain tests of attentional function. Nevertheless, they add to the growing body of evidence that the cholinergic system is involved in the control of attentional processes. The results will be relevant to future investigations into the therapeutic effects of enhancement of the cholinergic system in DAT sufferers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Sahakian
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Morant
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Eagger
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boddington
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Crayton
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Crockford
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crooks
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Levy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D001245:Association Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000187:drug effects; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D013028:Space Perception / Q000187:drug effects; D013619:Tacrine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013619:Tacrine