A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine in treating the cognitive symptoms of dementia

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Abstract

Background: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and memantine are commonly used in the management of dementia. In routine clinical practice, dementia is often monitored via the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of these drugs on MMSE scores. Summary: Eighty trials were identified. Pooled effect estimates were in favour of both AChEIs and memantine at 6 months. Meta-regression indicated that dementia subtype was a moderator of AChEI treatment effect, with the effect of treatment versus control twice as high for patients with Parkinson disease dementia/ dementia with Lewy bodies (2.11 MMSE points at 6 months) as for patients with Alzheimer disease/vascular dementia (0.91 MMSE points at 6 months). Key Messages: AChEIs demonstrate a modest effect versus control on MMSE scores which is moderated by dementia subtype. For memantine the effect is smaller.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)131–151
JournalDementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders
Volume45
Early online date7 May 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2018

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