Rivastigmine in vascular dementia.

Author(s): Vincent S, Lane R

Affiliation(s): Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Surrey, UK.

Publication date & source: 2003, Int Psychogeriatr., 15 Suppl 1:201-5.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

Vascular dementia (VaD), like Alzheimer's disease (AD), is associated with cholinergic deficits. Rivastigmine provides sustained, brain-selective inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Preliminary data suggest that rivastigmine may provide significant benefits in patients with AD and cerebrovascular disease (mixed dementia), and in patients with VaD. Open-label rivastigmine treatment has been associated with improved cognitive and functional abilities, behavioral symptoms, and reduced caregiver stress in a small pilot study in these patients. Larger, prospective, double-blind studies of rivastigmine in patients with VaD are under way. These studies will confirm whether rivastigmine is an efficacious treatment option for a range of patients for whom, until now, there have been few symptomatic therapies.