J Korean Geriatr Psychiatry.  2012 Jun;16(1):24-30.

Effects of Galantamine Treatment on Attention, Activities of Daily Living, and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms between the Patients with Pure Alzheimer's Disease and Mixed Dementia

• Kang HS
• Yun JH
• Ahn IS
• Moon YJ
• Hwang TY
• Lee YM
• Kim H
• Kim DK

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of galantamine treatment, especially attention ability between patients with pure Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Mixed dementia (MD) during a 24-week trial.
METHODS
A total of 40 patients were recruited for this 24-week study. The effect of galantamine on attention was measured using Seoul Computerized NeuroCognitive Function Test (SCNT) and frontal functions test of Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB). Patients'activities of daily living using the Seoul-Activities of Daily Living (S-ADL) and the Seoul-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (S-IADL) ; behavioral symptoms using the Korean version Neuropsychiatric Inventory (K-NPI) were measured at baseline and 24-week.
RESULTS
17 pure AD patients and 23 MD patients were analyzed in this study. Attention as measured by SCNT was not significantly different from baseline after 24 weeks of treatment in both groups. There was no significant difference between two groups in mean change from baseline in the SCNT, S-ADL, S-IADL and K-NPI scores at 24-week.
CONCLUSION
Galantamine showed a therapeutic effect on cognition, activities of daily living, neuropsychiatric symptoms in pure AD and MD. Furthermore, Galantamine may specifically help to maintain attention and it may have positive effects on other cognitive and functional abilities.

Keyword

Alzheimer's disease; Mixed dementia; Galantamine; Attention; Clinical efficacy

MeSH Terms

Activities of Daily Living
Alzheimer Disease
Attention
Behavioral Symptoms
Cognition
Dementia
Galantamine
Humans
Mass Screening
Galantamine