Abstract | OBJECTIVE: PATIENTS AND METHODS: Study subjects were men and women 60-75 years of age diagnosed with probable FTD. The rivastigmine group received doses of 3-9 mg/day. The control group included matched patients receiving antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and selegiline ( deprenyl). All patients completed a 12-month follow-up period. RESULTS:
Rivastigmine treatment was well tolerated. At 12 months, there was a general amelioration of behavioural changes as demonstrated by reductions in Neuropsychiatric Inventory (p<0.001 vs baseline and control), Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (p<0.001 vs baseline and control) and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia scores (p<0.05 vs baseline, p<0.001 vs control) in the rivastigmine group. Caregiver burden was reduced, as shown by reduced Relative Stress Scale scores (p<0.001 vs baseline and control). Mean scores on outcome measures evaluating executive function stabilised in the rivastigmine group (p<0.05 vs controls). Rivastigmine did not prevent the disease-related deterioration of cognition as assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination. CONCLUSION: In this open-label study, rivastigmine-treated patients were less behaviourally impaired, and caregiver burden was reduced, at 12 months, compared with baseline. The use of cholinesterase inhibitors in FTD warrants further research.
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Authors | Rita Moretti, Paola Torre, Rodolfo M Antonello, Tatiana Cattaruzza, Giuseppe Cazzato, Antonio Bava |
Journal | Drugs & aging
(Drugs Aging)
Vol. 21
Issue 14
Pg. 931-7
( 2004)
ISSN: 1170-229X [Print] New Zealand |
PMID | 15554751
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Phenylcarbamates
- Rivastigmine
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Topics |
- Aged
- Caregivers
(statistics & numerical data)
- Dementia
(drug therapy, psychology)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neuropsychological Tests
(statistics & numerical data)
- Phenylcarbamates
(therapeutic use)
- Rivastigmine
- Statistics, Nonparametric
- Treatment Outcome
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