title: Rivastigmine patch ameliorates depression in mild AD: preliminary evidence from a 6-month open-label observational study.
abstract: Here we investigated the effect of the rivastigmine patch alone on depression in 50 mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients with comorbid major depressive episode (MDE). First diagnosis acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitor and psychoactive drug-free outpatients (n=50) were recruited in memory clinics and reassessed after 3 and 6 months. Global cognitive functioning, depressive symptoms and MDE frequency were evaluated with the Mini Mental State Examination, the CERAD Dysphoria scale and the modified DSM-IV criteria for MDE in AD. MDE frequency reduced significantly from the first diagnostic visit (100%) to the 6-month follow-up (62%). We also found a significant reduction in CERAD Dysphoria scores that decreased from 6.2±3.9 mean±standard deviation to 4.9±4.5 at the 6-month follow-up. In AD patients with MDE rivastigmine alone can have a positive impact on depressive phenomena. Thus, future controlled study are justified to definitively verify if rivastigmine alone may improve depression in AD.
authors: IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. g.spalletta@hsantalucia.it
authors: Gianfranco
authors: G
authors: Spalletta
authors: Walter
authors: W
authors: Gianni
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Giubilei
authors: Anna R
authors: AR
authors: Casini
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Sancesario
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Caltagirone
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Cravello
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D048448:Phenylcarbamates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068836:Rivastigmine; D057968:Transdermal Patch
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D000068836:Rivastigmine