Cognitive pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this paper is to review the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and to provide evidence-based recommendations for treatment of the cognitive impairment associated with these disorders.

METHOD:
A Medline search was conducted for RCTs, using the following key words:
Alzheimer's disease, dementia, therapy, cholinesterase inhibitor, donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine. Studies were critically appraised, followed by a review of published major clinical practice guidelines. Recommendations for treatment were made based on best available evidence.

RESULTS:
The pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer's disease should include the meticulous management of vascular risk factors (for example, hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and stroke prophylaxis) and consideration for supplementation with folate, vitamin B complex, and vitamin E. Patients should be offered at least 1 trial of a cholinesterase inhibitor, with the possibility of another trial if the first is poorly tolerated or ineffective. Patients with vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies should also be offered treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors. At this time, we lack sufficient data to recommend the use of hormone replacement or antiinflammatory therapy for treatment of dementia as the primary indication.

CONCLUSION:
Reasonable evidence exists to provide recommendations for the pharmacotherapy of dementia. Treatment will likely result in modest but important benefits to patients, caregivers, and society.

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Author information

Author/s: Herrmann, Nathan (N);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5. nathan.herrmann(-atsign-)swchsc.on.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie (Can J Psychiatry), published in Canada. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Oct; vol 47 (issue 8) : pp 715-22

Dates: Created 2002/11/07; Completed 2002/12/19; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 12420649, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: Can J Psychiatry. 2002 Oct;47(8):713-4. (PMID: 12420648)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged
Alzheimer Disease - diagnosis; drug therapy
Dementia - diagnosis; drug therapy
Evidence-Based Medicine
Humans

Humans
Neuropsychological Tests
Nootropic Agents - adverse effects; therapeutic use
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Treatment Outcome

Associated Chemicals: Nootropic Agents (0)

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