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Theleritis CG, Siarkos KT, Politis AM. Unmet Needs in Pharmacological Treatment of Apathy in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1108. [PMID: 31680942 PMCID: PMC6797825 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Apathy is one of the most prevalent neuropsychiatric symptoms encountered in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and may be an early sign in the development of dementia persisting over the disease course. It has been associated with poor disease outcome, impaired daily functioning, and significant caregiver distress. Early diagnosis and timely treatment of apathy in AD are of great importance. However, approved agents for apathy are still missing. Methods: Within this context, we conducted an extensive electronic search in the databases included in the National Library of Medicine, PsychInfo, and Google Scholar for studies that have investigated the effect of pharmacological treatments in apathy in AD. There were no limitations regarding study design and all care settings were considered for inclusion. Structured measures for level of evidence and study quality were employed to evaluate the results. Results: A total of 1,607 records were identified; 1,483 records remained after the removal of duplicates and were screened; 166 full-text articles were selected and assessed for eligibility and a remaining 90 unique studies and relevant reviews were included in the qualitative synthesis. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, gingko biloba, and methylphenidate were found to be successful in reducing apathy in patients with AD. Methodological heterogeneity in the studies and the small amount of studies where apathy was the primary outcome are limiting factors to assess for group effects. Conclusions: Pharmacological treatment of apathy in AD is an underexplored field. Standardized and systematic efforts are needed to establish a possible treatment benefit. Elucidating the pathophysiology of apathy and its components or subtypes will inform disease models and mechanistic drug studies that can quantify a benefit from specific agents for specific AD groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos G Theleritis
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, First Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Kostas T Siarkos
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, First Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios M Politis
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, First Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Veronese N, Soysal P, Stubbs B, Marengoni A, Demurtas J, Maggi S, Petrovic M, Verdejo-Bravo C. Association between urinary incontinence and frailty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Geriatr Med 2018; 9:571-578. [PMID: 34654231 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-018-0102-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Urinary incontinence (UI) and frailty are common geriatric syndromes. Although literature increasingly supports a relationship between these two conditions, no systematic review and meta-analysis has been performed on this topic. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the potential association between UI and frailty, through a meta-analytic approach. METHODS A systematic search in major databases was undertaken until 15th March 2018 for studies reporting the association between UI and frailty. The prevalence of UI in people with frailty (vs. those without) was pooled through an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with a random-effects model. The other outcomes were summarized descriptively. RESULTS Among 828 papers, 11 articles were eligible, including 3784 participants (mean age 78.2 years; 55.1% women). The prevalence of UI was 39.1% in people with frailty and 19.4% in those without. A meta-analysis with five studies (1540 participants) demonstrated that UI was over twice as likely in frail people versus those without (OR 2.28; 95% CI 1.35-3.86; I2 = 61%). One cross-sectional study, adjusting for potential confounders and one longitudinal study confirmed that UI is significantly associated with frailty. In two cross-sectional studies, using adjusted analyses, frailty was more common in people with UI. CONCLUSION Urinary incontinence is twice as common in older people with frailty compared to older people without frailty. Screening and the development of interventions for UI and frailty could prove useful for this common comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Veronese
- National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Aging Branch, Padua, Italy.
| | - Pinar Soysal
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Brendon Stubbs
- Physiotherapy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK
| | - Alessandra Marengoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Jacopo Demurtas
- Primary Care Department, Azienda USL Toscana Sud Est, Grosseto, Italy
| | - Stefania Maggi
- National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Aging Branch, Padua, Italy
| | - Mirko Petrovic
- Department of Internal Medicine (Geriatrics), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Carlos Verdejo-Bravo
- Department of Geriatric Department, Hospital Universitario Clinico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
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Kobayashi H, Arai H. Donepezil may reduce the risk of comorbidities in patients with Alzheimer's disease: A large-scale matched case-control analysis in Japan. ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA-TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH & CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS 2018; 4:130-136. [PMID: 29955656 PMCID: PMC6021551 DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Few studies have focused on the association between donepezil and physical comorbid conditions in Alzheimer's disease patients. Methods We investigated the association between donepezil prescription and the occurrences of comorbidities in Alzheimer's disease patients, by using an electronic medical records database which contains case-based information on approximately three million patients from more than 60 hospitals across Japan. Results Nine thousand seven hundred forty-nine patients had at least one diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease between 2001 and 2015. To test the robustness of the results, we used a risk set sampling method, and the matched cohorts based on age, sex, comorbidity level, and duration of illness consisted of 1406 cases and an equal number of controls. From the multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for covariance, less occurrence of physical comorbidities was associated with donepezil prescription in the matched cohort. Discussion Although the mechanisms are unknown, donepezil may have positive effects on both cognition and physical status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Kobayashi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Toho University, Ota-Ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Eisai Co., Ltd., Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Heii Arai
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in older people. One approach to symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease is to enhance cholinergic neurotransmission in the brain by blocking the action of the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This can be done by a group of drugs known as cholinesterase inhibitors. Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor.This review is an updated version of a review first published in 1998. OBJECTIVES To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of donepezil in people with mild, moderate or severe dementia due to Alzheimer's disease; to compare the efficacy and safety of different doses of donepezil; and to assess the effect of donepezil on healthcare resource use and costs. SEARCH METHODS We searched Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement's Specialized Register, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and a number of other sources on 20 May 2017 to ensure that the search was as comprehensive and up-to-date as possible. In addition, we contacted members of the Donepezil Study Group and Eisai Inc. SELECTION CRITERIA We included all double-blind, randomised controlled trials in which treatment with donepezil was administered to people with mild, moderate or severe dementia due to Alzheimer's disease for 12 weeks or more and its effects compared with those of placebo in a parallel group of patients, or where two different doses of donepezil were compared. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS One reviewer (JSB) extracted data on cognitive function, activities of daily living, behavioural symptoms, global clinical state, quality of life, adverse events, deaths and healthcare resource costs. Where appropriate and possible, we estimated pooled treatment effects. We used GRADE methods to assess the quality of the evidence for each outcome. MAIN RESULTS Thirty studies involving 8257 participants met the inclusion criteria of the review, of which 28 studies reported results in sufficient detail for the meta-analyses. Most studies were of six months' duration or less. Only one small trial lasted 52 weeks. The studies tested mainly donepezil capsules at a dose of 5 mg/day or 10 mg/day. Two studies tested a slow-release oral formulation that delivered 23 mg/day. Participants in 21 studies had mild to moderate disease, in five studies moderate to severe, and in four severe disease. Seventeen studies were industry funded or sponsored, four studies were funded independently of industry and for nine studies there was no information on source of funding.Our main analysis compared the safety and efficacy of donepezil 10 mg/day with placebo at 24 to 26 weeks of treatment. Thirteen studies contributed data from 3396 participants to this analysis. Eleven of these studies were multicentre studies. Seven studies recruited patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, two with moderate to severe, and four with severe Alzheimer's disease, with a mean age of about 75 years. Almost all evidence was of moderate quality, downgraded due to study limitations.After 26 weeks of treatment, donepezil compared with placebo was associated with better outcomes for cognitive function measured with the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-Cog, range 0 to 70) (mean difference (MD) -2.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) -3.31 to -2.02, 1130 participants, 5 studies), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score (MD 1.05, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.37, 1757 participants, 7 studies) and the Severe Impairment Battery (SIB, range 0 to 100) (MD 5.92, 95% CI 4.53 to 7.31, 1348 participants, 5 studies). Donepezil was also associated with better function measured with the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study activities of daily living score for severe Alzheimer's disease (ADCS-ADL-sev) (MD 1.03, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.85, 733 participants, 3 studies). A higher proportion of participants treated with donepezil experienced improvement on the clinician-rated global impression of change scale (odds ratio (OR) 1.92, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.39, 1674 participants, 6 studies). There was no difference between donepezil and placebo for behavioural symptoms measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) (MD -1.62, 95% CI -3.43 to 0.19, 1035 participants, 4 studies) or by the Behavioural Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease (BEHAVE-AD) scale (MD 0.4, 95% CI -1.28 to 2.08, 194 participants, 1 study). There was also no difference between donepezil and placebo for Quality of Life (QoL) (MD -2.79, 95% CI -8.15 to 2.56, 815 participants, 2 studies).Participants receiving donepezil were more likely to withdraw from the studies before the end of treatment (24% versus 20%, OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.50, 2846 participants, 12 studies) or to experience an adverse event during the studies (72% vs 65%, OR 1.59, 95% 1.31 to 1.95, 2500 participants, 10 studies).There was no evidence of a difference between donepezil and placebo for patient total healthcare resource utilisation.Three studies compared donepezil 10 mg/day to donepezil 5 mg/day over 26 weeks. The 5 mg dose was associated with slightly worse cognitive function on the ADAS-Cog, but not on the MMSE or SIB, with slightly better QoL and with fewer adverse events and withdrawals from treatment. Two studies compared donepezil 10 mg/day to donepezil 23 mg/day. There were no differences on efficacy outcomes, but fewer participants on 10 mg/day experienced adverse events or withdrew from treatment. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is moderate-quality evidence that people with mild, moderate or severe dementia due to Alzheimer's disease treated for periods of 12 or 24 weeks with donepezil experience small benefits in cognitive function, activities of daily living and clinician-rated global clinical state. There is some evidence that use of donepezil is neither more nor less expensive compared with placebo when assessing total healthcare resource costs. Benefits on 23 mg/day were no greater than on 10 mg/day, and benefits on the 10 mg/day dose were marginally larger than on the 5 mg/day dose, but the rates of withdrawal and of adverse events before end of treatment were higher the higher the dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline S Birks
- University of OxfordCentre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal SciencesBotnar Research Centre, Windmill RoadOxfordUKOX3 7LD
| | - Richard J Harvey
- Deakin University and Private PracticeMedical Schoolc/o Telepsychiatrist OnlinePO Box 117North GeelongVictoriaAustralia3215
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Systematic Review of Cholinesterase Inhibitors on Cognition and Behavioral Symptoms in Patients of Chinese Descent with Alzheimer's Disease, Vascular Dementia, or Mixed Dementia. Geriatrics (Basel) 2017; 2:geriatrics2030029. [PMID: 31011039 PMCID: PMC6371124 DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics2030029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are the primary pharmacologic treatment for dementia. Their efficacy in patients of Chinese descent is not well described. We reviewed how ChEIs could affect cognition and behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD) in Chinese patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), or mixed (AD with vascular component) dementia. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE and CINAHL were systematically searched for controlled trials of ChEIs, including donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine, for Chinese patients with AD, VaD, or mixed dementia. Outcomes for cognition and BPSD were extracted for discussion. Fifty-four studies were identified. While one larger study found that dementia patients of Chinese descent treated with ChEIs had significantly higher mean Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, other studies showed no significant difference. Evidence on BPSD after use of ChEIs was also conflicting. ChEIs may be effective in improving cognition among patients of Chinese descent with dementia. Further studies are needed to examine the possible effects of ChEIs on BPSD in Chinese patients with dementia in view of the small number of studies and limitations in their methodologies.
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Theleritis C, Siarkos K, Katirtzoglou E, Politis A. Pharmacological and Nonpharmacological Treatment for Apathy in Alzheimer Disease : A systematic review across modalities. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2017; 30:26-49. [PMID: 28248559 DOI: 10.1177/0891988716678684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Apathy is one of the most frequent neuropsychiatric symptoms encountered in Alzheimer disease (AD). Early diagnosis and timely treatment of apathy in AD seem to be of great importance, since apathy has been associated with poor disease outcome, reduced daily functioning, and caregiver distress. DESIGN Within this context, we conducted an extensive electronic search from the databases included in the National Library of Medicine as well as PsychInfo and Google Scholar for studies that have investigated the effect of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments of apathy in AD. RESULTS Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, gingko biloba, methylphenidate, and a variety of nonpharmacological interventions were found to be successful in reducing apathy in patients with AD. Methodological heterogeneity of the studies and the small amount of studies where apathy was a primary outcome measure are limiting factors to evaluate for group effects. CONCLUSION Treatment of apathy in AD is a complicated and an underexplored field. Standardized and systematic efforts primarily focused on the study of apathy in AD may establish a benefit from individualized treatment for specific disease groups that would stem from a combination of both pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Theleritis
- 1 First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,2 Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kostas Siarkos
- 1 First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Everina Katirtzoglou
- 1 First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Politis
- 1 First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,3 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Apathy in Alzheimer's disease: any effective treatment? ScientificWorldJournal 2014; 2014:421385. [PMID: 24672318 PMCID: PMC3929376 DOI: 10.1155/2014/421385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective. This review has evaluated the effectiveness of pharmacological treatment of apathy in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted on published clinical trials assessing the effects of pharmacological treatment on apathy in AD over the last 10 years. Results. Fourteen studies considered of good quality were included in the analysis (4 randomized controlled trials, 9 open-label studies, and 1 retrospective analysis). Cholinesterase inhibitors were investigated in 9 studies, monoaminergic compounds such as methylphenidate and modafinil in two trials and one trial, respectively, and Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761 extract) and citalopram in one study each. Cholinesterase inhibitors did not show statistical significant effect in 1 RCT study but were associated to improvement in 3 open-label studies. Methylphenidate elicited a small but significant activity accompanied by relevant side effects such as high blood pressure, cough, and osteoarticular pain. EGb 761 was well tolerated and countered apathy. Other treatments induced modest improvements or were ineffective. Conclusions. Apathy treatment remains a challenge and there is no evident advantage of any specific pharmacotherapy tested so far. The development of controlled studies according to updated guidelines for the diagnosis of apathy in patients with AD is desirable.
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Mehta S, Chandersekhar K, Prasadrao G, Dutt L, Patkar S, Nagpal RD, Gupta M, Raju GSP, Praveen KK, Prasad BSV, Roy T, Kushwaha S, Nag J, Langade D, Pawar D. Safety and efficacy of donepezil hydrochloride in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: Findings of an observational study. Indian J Psychiatry 2012; 54:337-43. [PMID: 23372236 PMCID: PMC3554965 DOI: 10.4103/0019-5545.104820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive brain disorder, is the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. Donepezil hydrochloride is a potent, reversible, and highly selective inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). It is chemically distinct from other cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors which are effective in the treatment of AD. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the safety and efficacy of donepezil hydrochloride therapy over a 12 weeks period in patients with mild to moderate AD in Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this post-marketing study, patients with mild to moderate AD received oral donepezil hydrochloride 5 mg/day for 4 weeks followed by 10 mg/day for 8 weeks. Patients were assessed 4 times weekly for cognition on 'Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) scale', and function on 'Activities of Daily Living (ADL) index'. Clinicians and caregivers assessment of safety and efficacy was assessed on a 5-point rating scale. RESULTS One hundred and seventy two of one hundred and eighty two patients completed 12 weeks of study period. MMSE score significantly improved (P<0.0001) from 16.72 at baseline to 19.77 after 12 weeks, and there was significant improvement (P<0.05) in ADL index in 13 of 17 domains after 12 weeks. Caregivers and clinicians rated the therapy as very good to good in >80% and >90% patients, respectively. Adverse events were consistent with the known pharmacological and safety profile of donepezil. CONCLUSIONS Donepezil is well tolerated in Indian patients with mild to moderate AD with significant improvement in cognition and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suyog Mehta
- Medical Advisor, Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Private Limited, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
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Rockwood K, Zeng A, Leibman C, Mucha L, Mitnitski A. Validation of an informant-reported web-based data collection to assess dementia symptoms. J Med Internet Res 2012; 14:e42. [PMID: 22411293 PMCID: PMC3376520 DOI: 10.2196/jmir.1941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Revised: 12/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Web offers unprecedented access to the experience of people with dementia and their care partners, but data gathered online need to be validated to be useful. Objective To test the construct validity of an informant Web-based data collection to assess dementia symptoms in relation to the 15-point Dependence Scale (DS). Methods In an online survey posted on the DementiaGuide website, care partners of people with dementia built individualized profiles from the 60-item SymptomGuide and completed a questionnaire, which included the DS and a staging tool. Results In the 250 profilees (155, 62% women, mean age 77 years), increasing dependence was associated with a greater chance of institutionalization. For example, no one at the lowest levels of dependence (DS score < 5, n = 33) was in long-term care, compared with half (13/25) of the profilees at the highest levels of dependence (DS score > 12) being in institutions (χ24 = 27.9, P < .001). The Web-based DS was correlated with the number of symptoms: higher DS scores were associated with a higher stage of dementia (F > 50, P < .001). Conclusion In an online survey, the Web-based DS showed good construct validity, potentially demonstrating how the Web can be used to learn more about dementia progression and how it relates to symptoms experienced by patients across the course of dementing illnesses. Even so, caution is needed to assure the validity of data collected online.
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Abstract
Apathy in patients with dementia is common, underrecognized, and undertreated. We sought to improve understanding of the pharmacologic treatment of apathy in dementia by performing a systematic literature review of studies that used apathy outcome scales to document results of pharmacologic treatments for apathy. There is limited evidence of efficiency of pharmacotherapy for treatment of apathy in dementia. The best results were found for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. There was some evidence of efficacy for memantine, but less evidence of efficacy for stimulants, calcium antagonists, and antipsychotics. There was no evidence to support the use of antidepressants or anticonvulsants. The research quality of studies was modest. Recommendations for standardizing research and for holistic evaluation and treatment are provided.
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Bhat R, Rockwood K. Psychiatric complications of dementia. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2011; 56:398-407. [PMID: 21835103 DOI: 10.1177/070674371105600703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Our paper describes the neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms of late-life disorders of cognitive impairment. Late-life cognitive disorders are associated with psychiatric symptoms in various ways-from apparent risk factors to pathognomonic features of particular dementias. They contribute greatly to the burden of illness, both in people with dementia, and in those who care for them. Here we consider specific dementia symptoms in relation to dementing illnesses and to the stages of dementia. Recognizing that no one drug is likely to successfully treat all dementia symptoms, we argue for a syndromic approach, which can lead to appropriately targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Bhat
- Rural Health Academic Centre, The University of Melbourne, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia
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Jelic V, Darreh-Shori T. Donepezil: A Review of Pharmacological Characteristics and Role in the Management of Alzheimer Disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.4137/cmt.s5410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Donepezil is a potent, selective, noncompetitive, and rapidly reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChEI) licensed for the treatment of Alzheimer disease (AD); and is the first and only AChEI licensed for the treatment of severe AD. Its efficacy as monotherapy, or in combination with the NMDA-agonist, memantine, has been documented in several randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled, short-term clinical trials, as well as long-term extension trials and observational studies. Donepezil is a well tolerated drug that is generally safe as demonstrated even in patients with multiple co-morbidities receiving polypharmacy. It has been shown that donepezil improves cognition and global function in patients with mild-to-moderate AD; and long-term efficacy is maintained for up to 50 weeks. There is a dose-response relationship, with higher doses more likely to produce symptomatic benefit. Furthermore, donepezil-treated patients may improve cognitively and show global clinical improvement in all disease stages, including severe AD. Less consistent results in all disease stages were obtained on measures of function and behavior, and observations of mood. No effect on transition to AD has been found in long-term, randomized clinical trials in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Cost-effectiveness of the treatment has been questioned by one long-term open-label societal study of 2-years duration. This study reported modest improvement of cognition but no statistically significant benefits during donepezil treatment as compared to placebo, in terms of rates of institutionalization and progression toward greater disability. However, there is a need for further research on clinically meaningful outcomes and treatment benefits favored by patients and caregivers, which are traditionally not defined as outcomes in clinical trials. Likewise, we need to know how to select responders, what is an optimal AChE inhibition particularly during the long-term treatment, in which patients the dosage should be increased for a sustained benefit, what is the optimal duration of treatment and when is meaningful to stop the treatment. After almost two decades of donepezil use in everyday clinical practice these issues are still unresolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vesna Jelic
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS); Division of Geriatric Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Taher Darreh-Shori
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS); Division of Alzheimer Neurobiology, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
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