Safety and efficacy of galantamine (Reminyl) in severe Alzheimer's disease (the SERAD study): a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

Background: The efficacy of galantamine has been shown in patients with mild, moderate, and advanced moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we report its efficacy in patients with severe AD.

Methods: Between December, 2003, and March, 2007, patients aged 84 (SD 6) years with severe AD (mini-mental state examination [MMSE] score 5-12 points), in a nursing home setting were randomly assigned to receive galantamine (n=207), titrated initially to 24 mg/day, or placebo (n=200).

Early onset effects of galantamine treatment on attention in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: Exploratory pilot studies and knowledge of its mode of action suggested that galantamine, a cholinesterase inhibitor and modulator of nicotinic receptors, can improve attention. This study was designed to test the effects of galantamine on attention in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to see how changes in attention affected their caregivers.

Methods: This was an open-label, multicentre study.

Realistic expectations: the management of severe Alzheimer disease.

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a loss of memory and cognition, a decline in ability to perform activities of daily living, changes in personality and behavior, and an increase in resource utilization and medical care. The natural course of AD can be viewed as a gradual loss of independence divided into several stages (mild, moderate, and severe) that ultimately leaves the patient under the supervision of a caregiver. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are the most widely accepted and proven approach to the treatment of mild to moderate AD.