Semin Neurol 2002; 22(1): 071-074
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-33050
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

The Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: The Approach from a Clinical Specialist in the Trenches

Ann Marie Hake
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
12 August 2002 (online)

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, and its incidence increases with age. Treatment with cholinesterase inhibitor drugs is currently the standard of care. Several other medications and nonpharmacologic therapies are also available for the treatment of cognitive decline and other symptoms of AD. This article reviews the current recommendations for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

REFERENCES

  • 1 Katzman R. Epidemiology of Alzheimer's disease.  Neurobiol Aging . 2000;  S1
  • 2 Kokmen E, Beard C M, O'Brien P C, Kurland L T. Epidemiology of dementia in Rochester, Minnesota.  Mayo Clin Proc . 1996;  71 275-282
  • 3 Brookmeyer R, Gray S, Kawas C. Projections of Alzheimer's disease in the United States and the public health impact of delaying disease onset.  Am J Public Health . 1998;  88 1337-1342
  • 4 Davies P, Maloney A J. Selective loss of central cholinergic neurons in Alzheimer's disease.  Lancet . 1976;  2 1403
  • 5 Rogers S L, Farlow M R, Doody R S, Mohs R, Friedhoff L T. A 24-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of donepezil in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil Study Group.  Neurology . 1998;  50 136-145
  • 6 Burns A, Rossor M, Hecker J. The effects of donepezil in Alzheimer's disease: results from a multinational trial.  Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord . 1999;  10 237-244
  • 7 Rosler M, Anand R, Cicin-Sain A. Efficacy and safety of rivastigmine in patients with Alzheimer's disease: international randomised controlled trial.  BMJ . 1999;  318 633-638
  • 8 Tariot P N, Solomon P R, Morris J C. A 5-month, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of galantamine in AD.  Neurology . 2000;  54 2269-2276
  • 9 Raskind M A, Peskind E R, Wessel T, Yuan W, and the Galantamine USA-1 Study Group. Galantamine in AD. A 6-month randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a 6-month extension.  Neurology . 2000;  54 2261-2268
  • 10 Hake A M, Farlow M R. New concepts in the drug therapy of Alzheimer's disease.  Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy . 2001;  2 1975-1983
  • 11 Farlow M, Anand R, Messina Jr J, Hartman R, Veach J. A 52-week study of the efficacy of rivastigmine in patients with mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease.  Eur Neurol . 2000;  44 236-241
  • 12 Doody R S, Geldmacher D S, Gordon B. Open-label, multicenter, phase 3 extension study of the safety and efficacy of donepezil in patients with Alzheimer's disease.  Arch Neurol . 2001;  58 427-433
  • 13 Rogers S L, Doody R S, Pratt R D, Ieni J R. Long-term efficacy and safety of donepezil in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: final analysis of a US multicentre open-label study.  Eur Neuropsychopharmacology . 2000;  10 195-203
  • 14 Feldman H, Gauthier S, Hecker J, Vellas B, Subbiah P, Whalen E. Benefits of donepezil on global function, behavior, cognition, and ADLs in patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease.  Neurology . 2000;  A469
  • 15 Cummings J, Anand R, Koumaras B, Harman R. Rivastigmine provides behavioral benefits to Alzheimer's disease patients residing in a nursing home: findings from a 26-week trial.  Neurology . 2000;  A468-A469
  • 16 Feldman H, Gauthier S, Hecker J, Vellas B, Subbiah P, Whalen E. Donepezil MSAD Study Investigators Group. A 24-week, randomized, double-blind study of donepezil in moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.  Neurology . 2001;  57 613-620
  • 17 Newmann J P. Aging and depression.  Psychol Aging . 1989;  4 150-165
  • 18 Lazarus L W, Newton N, Cohler B, Lesser J, Schweon C. Frequency and presentation of depressive symptoms in patients with primary degenerative dementia.  Am J Psychiatry . 1987;  144 41-45
  • 19 Karlsson I. Treatment of non-cognitive symptoms in dementia.  Acta Neurologica Scandinavica Supplementum . 1996;  168 93-95
  • 20 Katz I R, Jeste D V, Mintzer J E, Clyde C, Napolitano J, Brecher M. Comparison of risperidone and placebo for psychosis and behavioral disturbances associated with dementia: a randomized, double-blind trial.  J Clin Psychiatry . 1999;  60 107-115
  • 21 Street J S, Clark W S, Gannon K S. Olanzapine treatment of psychotic and behavioral symptoms in patients with Alzheimer disease in nursing care facilities: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial: The HGEU Study Group.  Arch Gen Psychiatry . 2000;  57 968-976
  • 22 McKeith I, Fairbairn A, Perry R, Thompson P, Perry E. Neuroleptic sensitivity in patients with senile dementia of Lewy body type.  BMJ . 1992;  305 673-678
  • 23 Rojas-Fernandez C H. Successful use of donepezil for the treatment of dementia with Lewy bodies.  Ann Pharmacother . 2001;  35 202-205
  • 24 McKeith I, Del Ser T, Spano P. Efficacy of rivastigmine in dementia with Lewy bodies: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled international study.  Lancet . 2000;  356 2031-2036
  • 25 Sutor B, Rummans T A, Smith G E. Assessment and management of behavioral disturbances in nursing home patients with dementia.  Mayo Clin Proc . 2001;  76 540-550
  • 26 Sano M, Ernesto C, Thomas R G. A controlled trial of selegiline, alpha-tocopherol or both as treatment for Alzheimer's disease.  N Engl J Med . 1997;  336 1216-1222
  • 27 Cheung M C, Zhao X Q, Chait A, Albers J J, Brown B G. Antioxidant supplements block the response of HDL to simvastatin-niacin therapy in patients with coronary artery disease and low HDL.  Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol . 2001;  21 1320-1326
    >