Disease stage in Alzheimer disease and treatment effects of rivastigmine

The efficacy and tolerability of the cholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine in the treatment of Alzheimer disease (AD) have been demonstrated in several clinical trials, which included patients with a wide range of dementia severities. To investigate the association between severity of disease and treatment response, the combined data from three large randomized, placebo-controlled trials were analyzed. The pooled patient population was stratified into three cohorts showing moderately severe (Mini-Mental State Examination score [MMSE]less than or equal to15), moderate (MMSE 16-22), and mild (MMSEgreater than or equal to22) dementia. In each cohort, the effects of rivastigmine 6 to 12 mg/day versus placebo were evaluated using the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog) and the Progressive Deterioration Scale. Rivastigmine 6 to 12 mg/day maintained ADAS-cog scores at or above placebo levels in all cohorts, while cognitive deterioration with placebo was progressive and severity dependent. Activities of daily living showed statistically significant benefits with rivastigmine across all severity cohorts.