title: [Cholinergic deficiency syndrome as an indicator for the cholinesterase inhibitors].
abstract: Cholinesterase inhibitors are licensed for the treatment of dementia in Alzheimer's disease. In clinical practice, these drugs have little effect on the cognitive symptoms of dementia. Several studies report a beneficial effect of cholinesterase inhibitors on neuropsychiatric symptoms. We hypothesise that symptoms such as the impairment of attention and concentration, anxiety, restlessness and hallucinations, delineate a specific central cholinergic deficiency syndrome. It is postulated that this syndrome crosses boundaries of nosological entities and occurs in various neurodegenerative diseases. Symptoms resulting from cholinergic deficiency might be a much better target for treatment than cognitive deficits.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Medisch Centrum/Universiteit van Amsterdam, afd. Neurologie, Postbus 22.660, 1100 DD Amsterdam. a.w.lemstra@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Lemstra
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eikelenboom
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: van Gool
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000172:deficiency*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase