title: Effects of galantamine on working memory and global functioning in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
abstract: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) causes memory impairment and executive function deficits in those with the condition. There is also some evidence that MCI patients are impaired in their daily functioning. Cholinesterase inhibitors have been widely used for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), with evidence of improving cognitive function. There is currently no established treatment for MCI, and cholinesterase inhibitors are beginning to be studied in these patients. Galantamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor that also has nicotinic receptor-modulating properties that has been successful in improving AD patients. This study examined the effects of galantamine in patients with MCI in areas of memory, executive functioning, and global functioning. There was a significant improvement in scores on the Functional Activities Questionnaire, which is a measure of global functioning. There were also improvements in the galantamine group on two of six measures in the Cambridge Automated Neuropsychiatric Test Assessment Battery and in immediate free recall on the California Verbal Learning Test.
authors.affiliation: Southern California Institute for Research and Education, Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Pepperdine University, Irvine, California, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koontz
authors.forename: Andrius
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baskys
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005702:Galantamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects*; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D012984:Software; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D005702:Galantamine