Effects of oral rivastigmine on cognitive domains in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's
disease.
Author(s): Farlow MR, Cummings JL, Olin JT, Meng X.
Affiliation(s): Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA. mfarlow@iupui.edu
Publication date & source: 2010, Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. , 25(4):347-52
Rivastigmine has beneficial effects on cognitive functioning in Alzheimer's
disease (AD). Effects of cholinesterase inhibitors, particularly rivastigmine, on
AD Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) domains and individual items
have rarely been analyzed. Results from 4 randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled, 26-week rivastigmine capsule trials in patients with
mild-to-moderate AD were pooled and ADAS-cog domains and individual items were
evaluated. Data were available from 878, 1053, and 863 patients in the 1 to 4
mg/d, 6 to 12 mg/d, and placebo groups, respectively. Rivastigmine-treated groups
were superior to placebo on total ADAS-cog and memory domain scores (P < or =
.0001). Rivastigmine 6 to 12 mg/d was also significantly better versus placebo on
language (P < .001) and praxis (P < .001); greatest treatment responses were seen
on memory items (P < .0001). Although rivastigmine was associated with
dose-dependent improvements in all cognitive domains, largest effects were on
memory items. Evaluation of ADAS-cog domain scores provides insight into test
items most likely to respond to treatment.
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