Pharmacopsychiatry 2006; 39(1): 16-19
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-931473
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Transdermal Rivastigmine Treatment Does Not Worsen Impaired Performance of Complex Motions in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

S. Muhlack1 , H. Przuntek1 , T. Müller1
  • 1Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 25.4.2005 Revised: 6.7.2005

Accepted: 30.8.2005

Publication Date:
02 February 2006 (online)

Background: There is a debate about the deterioration of fine motor behavior during treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors. Methods: We used an instrumental motor test, which demands a complex motion series. Thereby we assessed motor function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and in controls. We also performed this task and a complex reaction time paradigm (CRT) during a six-week open-label safety study using transdermal delivery of the cholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine. Objectives: To investigate (1) the performance of complex movements during deterioration of cognitive function and (2) the impact of rivastigmine on fine motor behavior and CRT outcomes in AD patients. Results: There were significant differences in the motor test outcomes, particularly when performed with the left non-dominant hand, between controls and patients with AD and MCI. Rivastigmine did not deteriorate assessed fine motor skills and CRT results. Conclusion: Our study shows an impaired carrying out of complex motion series during neurodegeneration associated with cognitive dysfunction. Rivastigmine selectively inhibits the predominant cortical and hippocampal G1 cholinesterase isoform; therefore, hypothetically no deterioration of fine motor behavior appeared during transdermal rivastigmine treatment. We assume that a putative drug-induced increase in speed and attention did not offset a deterioration of motion performance because we found no significant changes in the CRT results.

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Thomas Müller, MD

Department of Neurology

St. Josef Hospital

Ruhr University Bochum

Gudrunstrasse 56

44791 Bochum

Germany

Phone: ++49-234-509-2426

Fax: ++49-234-509-2414

Email: thomas.mueller@ruhr-uni-bochum.de

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