cholinesterase inhibitor clinical trials

Introduction

• see donepezil clinical trials
  • cholinesterase inhibitor clinical trials (review 2005); benefits of cholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer disease patients are relatively small & likely extend to only a subset of AD patients that can't be identified in advance
  • comment in Journal Watch in connection with 'Cholinesterase inhibitors confer a modest statistical benefit in large, short-term studies. The clinical relevance of this statistical benefit is controversial. A small proportion of patients may derive observable benefits. A therapeutic trial is thus reasonable; however, indefinite therapy without observable benefit is not indicated.'
  • marginal benefit for vascular dementia

Summary & Clinical practice guideline

• statistically significant but clinically marginal improvement in measures of cognition & global assessment of dementia
• most studies were of short duration (6 months); this limits their ability to detect delay in onset or progression of dementia

More specific terms

• donepezil clinical trials