Effects of cholinergic drugs and cognitive training on dementia: 2-year follow-up.

Abstract

Several studies have shown that pharmacological and cognitive treatments for Alzheimers's disease improve cognitive function for short periods, but fewer studies have evaluated the efficacy of those treatments for longer (2-year) periods. An initial sample of 68 subjects with mild Alzheimer's disease underwent clinical and cognitive evaluation. After evaluation, subjects were assigned to four different groups and participated in a 2-year follow-up study. Group 1 (n = 14) received combined drug and cognitive stimulation, group 2 (n = 20) received only drug treatment, group 3 (n = 14) received only cognitive stimulation, and group 4 (n = 30) received no treatment at all. Results confirmed previous investigation, cognitive and combined stimulation improved patients' performance throughout the 1st year; however, all groups deteriorated gradually throughout the 2nd year of treatment. According to this evidence, it can be concluded that we cannot stop cognitive deterioration after 2 years of treatment, although deterioration is greater and its progress faster in patients not receiving any treatment at all.

• Authors: C Requena, F Maestú, P Campo, A Fernández, T Ortiz
• Journal: Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders (Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord) Vol. 22 Issue 4 Pg. 339-45 ( 2006) ISSN: 1420-8008 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 16954689 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Cholinergic Agents

Topics

• Aged
• Cholinergic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cognition (physiology)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Dementia (drug therapy, psychology)
• Disease Progression
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Neuropsychological Tests
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales