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Behl P., Black S., Lanctot K. & Streiner D.L. 2006. Cholinesterase inhibitors selectively benefit attention and executive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Brain and Cognition, 62(1), 85.

Title

Cholinesterase inhibitors selectively benefit attention and executive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD)

Journal Name

Brain and Cognition

Abstract

To assess treatment effects in attention, executive and memory compared to no treatment in matched samples of patients with mild to moderate AD within the same longitudinal cohort study over 1 year. Patients (untreated = 65, treated = 65) meeting NINCDS-ADRDA criteria for mild (baseline MMSE 20–30) or moderate (baseline MMSE 10–19) probable AD recruited from the Cognitive Neurology clinic at Sunnybrook and Women’s underwent standardized neuropsychological testing at baseline and 12 months later. Groups were matched on education and baseline MMSE. Medical co morbidities were carefully documented. Groups were well matched on medical factors except that more patients had a history of smoking in the treated group. The Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS), its 5 subscores, and neuropsychological tests revealed less decline in treated patients in all domains of the DRS (attention, initiation, construction and conceptualization) except memory, and in phonemic fluency, backward digit span, Rey copy and Boston naming (F = 14.5, p < 0.05) (effect sizes 0.4–0.8). Functional scores also showed less decline. In summary, these indices of attention and executive function, as well as visuoconstructive and language components, and not memory, were the most responsive to cholinesterase inhibitors in AD patients treated for 1-year.

Volume

62(1)

Year

2006

Pages

85

Authors

Behl P., Black S., Lanctot K. & Streiner D.L.

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