Unexpected Findings During Double-blind Discontinuation of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Medications.

Purpose: The long-term effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) used in the treatment of patients with various types of dementia remain unclear, largely due to challenges in the study of their discontinuation. We present several unexpected results from a discontinuation trial that might merit further investigation.

Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the discontinuation of AChEI medications was conducted in 62 US veterans.