title: [Are anti-dementia drugs worthwhile?].
abstract: The efficacy of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine for Alzheimer's disease is well-documented by a number of studies. In Germany, the three substances are approved for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease; the glutamate antagonist memantine is approved for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. The health economical benefit of these medicines is disputed and ultimately depends on the health policy evaluation. However, from the medical perspective, every newly diagnosed case of Alzheimer's disease justifies a therapeutic attempt. In a given case, changing between the three approved acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or memantine may be indicated. Whether a combination of the substances has advantages is currently being tested.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Universitätsklinik, Erlangen. christoph.lang@neuro.imed.uni-erlangen.de
authors.forename: Christoph J G
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D000077265:Donepezil; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004470:Economics, Medical; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005702:Galantamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005858:Germany; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008559:Memantine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010277:Parasympathomimetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048448:Phenylcarbamates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000068836:Rivastigmine; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D007189:Indans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010277:Parasympathomimetics; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D010880:Piperidines; D005702:Galantamine; D000077265:Donepezil; D000068836:Rivastigmine; D008559:Memantine