Rivastigmine may improve functioning in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are the only effective drugs available for treating Alzheimer's disease. These drugs are not a cure but they can improve the patient's condition. Rösler et al (p 633) present the first report of a clinical trial of rivastigmine in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Rivastigmine is a novel, "pseudo-irreversible" carbamate inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase. The study was carried out in patients with concomitant illnesses who were taking other drugs typical of patients seen in ordinary practice. Rivastigmine had a clinically relevant positive effect on activities of daily living in addition to its effects on cognition and global clinical condition.


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