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Beneficial Effect of Cholinesterase Inhibitor Medications on Recognition Memory Performance in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease: Preliminary Findings

Roskamp Institute Memory Clinic, Tampa, Florida, TACrowell{at}excite.com

Juno Paramadevan, BA

Roskamp Institute Memory Clinic, Tampa, Florida

Laila Abdullah, BS

Roskamp Institute Memory Clinic, Tampa, Florida

Michael Mullan, MD, PhD

Roskamp Institute Memory Clinic, Tampa, Florida

Cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) medications (ie, donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine) have been useful in slowing the progression of the mild to moderate stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Findings supporting this have largely relied on a global error score from the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale and have not described the nature of the memory problems. We examined this issue by comparing learning, recall, and recognition scores among 2 groups of mild to moderately demented AD patients. Participants were patients from a memory clinic who either were on ChEI treatment (AD+ChEI, n = 14) or had never taken a ChEI (AD-ChEI, n = 14). Participants underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation, including administration of the CERAD Word List Memory test. Results indicated no significant group difference for learning and delayed free recall, but the AD+ChEI group had significantly fewer errors than the AD-ChEI group on the CERAD Recognition test. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that the aspect of memory that is most affected by ChEIs appears to be facilitation of retention of new information in memory. The implications of this on clinical care and functional abilities as well as future directions are discussed.

Key Words: cholinesterase inhibitor • dementia • memory • Alzheimer’s disease

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Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, Vol. 19, No. 1, 13-15 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0891988705284711


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Crowell, T. A. Articles by Mullan, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Crowell, T. A. Articles by Mullan, M. Pubmed/NCBI databases Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH Medline Plus Health Information Alzheimer's Disease Memory Social Bookmarking                         What's this?