Cognitive and psychopathologic response to rivastigmine in dementia with Lewy bodies compared to Alzheimer's disease: a case control study.
Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are effective in improving cognition and behavior in patients affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) as well as by Lewy bodies dementia (DLB). The authors compared the effect of rivastigmine in the treatment of cognitive impairment and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in 30 AD and in 30 DLB patients. At baseline, DLB compared to AD patients showed a greater number of extrapyramidal symptoms (P < .005) and were similar regarding cognitive symptoms and BPSD. After treatment, both groups showed a comparable cognitive and psycho-behavioral improvement. A significant difference between AD and DLB patients was found for hallucinations (P < .002). Rivastigmine produces comparable cognitive benefits in patients with DLB and AD and also a significant improvement of behavioral disorders. These findings support the view that ChEIs should be considered a first-line treatment of the cognitive and psycho-behavioral symptoms of both AD and DLB.
Rozzini
Luca
L
Department of Neurology, University of Brescia, Italy. lrozzini@iol.it
Chilovi
Barbara Vicini
BV
Bertoletti
Erik
E
Conti
Marta
M
Delrio
Ilenia
I
Trabucchi
Marco
M
Padovani
Alessandro
A
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020961:Lewy Body Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D048448:Phenylcarbamates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068836:Rivastigmine; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D000068836:Rivastigmine