Serum anticholinergic activity and cognition in patients with moderate-to-severe dementia.
OBJECTIVE
The authors investigated the association between serum anticholinergic activity (SAA) and cognitive performance in a group of patients with moderate-to-severe dementia.


METHODS
SAA and cognitive performance were assessed in 26 patients admitted to a geropsychiatric unit for the treatment of behavioral disturbances associated with dementia. SAA was measured by radioreceptor competitive binding assay. Cognition was tested with the Mini-Mental State Exam and the Severe Impairment Battery.


RESULTS
Higher SAA was associated with lower cognitive performance.


CONCLUSIONS
This study extends to patients with moderate-to-severe dementia the finding that higher SAA is associated with lower cognitive performance.
Chew
Marci L
ML
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, 3811 O'Hara St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. mulsantbh@upmc.edu
Mulsant
Benoit H
BH
Pollock
Bruce G
BG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists