Hallucinations predict attentional improvements with rivastigmine in dementia with lewy bodies.
The aim of this analysis of the effects of cholinergic therapy in dementia with Lewy bodies was to determine whether rivastigmine-induced benefits in attention and memory could be predicted by the presence of visual hallucinations. At study entry, 74% of patients were hallucinators and 26% were non-hallucinators. The population was analyzed for two-factor scores: power of attention (PoA) and quality of memory (QoM). A significant effect over placebo on PoA was observed in hallucinators at weeks 12 (p = 0.023) and 20 (p = 0.0019), while no treatment effects were seen in non-hallucinators. Significant treatment effects on QoM were not observed in either subgroup. Visual hallucinations predicted greater improvements in PoA, but not QoM. This may reflect the greater cholinergic deficits in areas of the brain responsible for visual hallucinations, offering greater potential for attentional improvement.
McKeith
Ian G
IG
Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. i.g.mckeith@ncl.ac.uk
Wesnes
Keith A
KA
Perry
Elaine
E
Ferrara
Roberto
R
D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D002219:Carbamates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D020961:Lewy Body Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D000068836:Rivastigmine
D002219:Carbamates; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D000068836:Rivastigmine