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Improvement of spontaneous speech in early stage Alzheimer’s with rivastigmine

Authors

Visch Brink, E. G., Van Rhee Temme, W., Rietveld, T., Krulder, J. W. M., Van Harskamp, F., Van der Cammen, T. J. M.

Journal

The Journal Of Nutrition, Health & Aging, Volume: 13, No.: 1, Pages.: 34-38

Year of Publication

2009

Abstract

Objectives: Placebo-controlled trials have shown that rivastigmine can delay cognitive deterioration in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Benefits on cognitive functioning, as measured with the ADAS-Cog, occur on a daily dose of 6-12 mg when used for at least 6 months. The effect of rivastigmine on the adequacy of spontaneous speech is unknown. This study aimed to (i) compare the spontaneous speech of AD patients with the spontaneous speech of persons with normal cognition, (ii) compare the spontaneous speech of the same group of AD patients before and after treatment with rivastigmine.; Methods: Spontaneous speech of AD patients (n=9) was compared with that of healthy elderly volunteers (n=8). In the patient group, spontaneous speech was analysed before and after treatment with rivastigmine.; Results: Before treatment, 100% discrimination was found between the spontaneous speech of AD patients and of healthy volunteers based on two linguistic parameters: empty words and compound sentences. After treatment with rivastigmine the spontaneous speech of the AD patients improved on these two variables, while the ADAS-Cog scores decreased. Mean interval between the two spontaneous speech samples was 8.89 months.; Conclusion: Assessment of spontaneous speech might be a valid parameter to discriminate between normal cognition and AD, and to evaluate the effects of anti-AD medication.;

Keywords

aged, aged, 80 and over, alzheimer disease, cholinergic agents, cognition, drug therapy, female, humans, male, phenylcarbamates, psychology, reference values, rivastigmine, speech, therapeutic use

Countries of Study

Netherlands

Types of Dementia

Alzheimer’s Disease

Types of Study

Case Control Study

Type of Outcomes

Cognition, Other

Type of Interventions

Pharmaceutical Interventions

Pharmaceutical Interventions

Anti-Alzheimer medications, e.g.: donezepil, galantamine, rivastigmine, memantime