Effects of metrifonate on cognitive decline in Alzheimer disease: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-month study.
Forty-seven patients with probable Alzheimer disease (AD) completed a 6-month double-blind study to compare metrifonate with placebo. The Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale cognitive subscale score of the metrifonate group treated to a 50-70% inhibition of red blood cell acetylcholinesterase activity differed significantly from the placebo group score by 1.8 points (p < 0.03) due to a deterioration in cognitive performance in the placebo group (p < 0.01). Statistically significant deterioration also occurred in the Mini-Mental State Examination scores (p < 0.01) in the placebo-treated group. Adverse effects were uncommon and did not require adjustment of the dose of metrifonate or discontinuation of treatment. These findings extend our previous report of a favorable effect of metrifonate on cognitive symptoms in AD by showing clinical, not only statistical, significance.
Becker
R E
RE
Department of Psychiatry, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, USA.
Colliver
J A
JA
Markwell
S J
SJ
Moriearty
P L
PL
Unni
L K
LK
Vicari
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014236:Trichlorfon / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D014236:Trichlorfon