Rivastigmine in vascular dementia.

Abstract

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.

• Authors: Shoona Vincent, Roger Lane
• Journal: International psychogeriatrics (Int Psychogeriatr) Vol. 15 Suppl 1 Pg. 201-5 ( 2003) ISSN: 1041-6102 [Print] England
• PMID: 16191241 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Cholinesterase Inhibitors
• Phenylcarbamates
• Acetylcholinesterase
• Butyrylcholinesterase
• Rivastigmine

Topics

• Acetylcholinesterase (metabolism)
• Activities of Daily Living
• Aged
• Alzheimer Disease (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Butyrylcholinesterase (metabolism)
• Cholinesterase Inhibitors (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cognition Disorders (diagnosis)
• Dementia, Vascular (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Humans
• Neuropsychological Tests
• Phenylcarbamates (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Pilot Projects
• Rivastigmine
• Severity of Illness Index