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Sustained cognitive improvement following treatment of Alzheimer's disease with donepezil
Author(s) -
Evans Mavis,
Ellis Andrew,
Watson David,
Chowdhury Tafika
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(200001)15:1<50::aid-gps75>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - donepezil , concomitant , medicine , cognition , memory clinic , dementia , alzheimer's disease , pediatrics , disease , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , psychiatry , cognitive impairment , psychology
Objectives To audit response to the anticholinesterase inhibitor donepezil in patients referred to a specialist memory clinic, to identify possible means of targeting the drug more accurately. Design All referrals to the clinic who were assessed and treated against a protocol, with structured follow‐up. Subjects All referrals of any age with the diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease, mild to moderately severe. Main outcome measures Cognitive improvement as measured by serial ADAS‐cog and MMSE examinations. Results Two hundred and eight‐two patients commenced on treatment, improved cognitive functioning in over 65% of patients reaching 3 months ( N =184), 51% on intention to treat analysis ( N =231), with significantly greater improvement ( p =0.03) in those aged 65 and under. Carer reports of behavioural improvement not always linked to cognitive improvement. Trend to increased response in those on concomitant antidepressants. Conclusion Three‐month assessment for response prior to agreeing continuation of treatment selects a group who maintain their response. Younger patients should be targeted for early assessment and treatment. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.