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Rivastigmine in Vascular Dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2005

Shoona Vincent
Affiliation:
Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Surrey, UK
Roger Lane
Affiliation:
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey, US

Abstract

Vascular dementia (VaD), like Alzheimer's disease (AD), is associated with cholinergic deficits. Rivastigmine provides sustained, brain-selective inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Preliminary data suggest that rivastigmine may provide significant benefits in patients with AD and cerebrovascular disease (mixed dementia), and in patients with VaD. Open-label rivastigmine treatment has been associated with improved cognitive and functional abilities, behavioral symptoms, and reduced caregiver stress in a small pilot study in these patients. Larger, prospective, double-blind studies of rivastigmine in patients with VaD are under way. These studies will confirm whether rivastigmine is an efficacious treatment option for a range of patients for whom, until now, there have been few symptomatic therapies.

Type
TARGETED THERAPIES
Copyright
© 2003 International Psychogeriatric Association

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