Original Research Article

Efficacy and Safety of Galantamine in Patients with Dementia with Lewy Bodies: A 24-Week Open-Label Study
Keith Edwards^{a, b}, Donald Royall^{c, d}, Linda Hershey^e, David Lichter^e, Ann Hake^f, Martin Farlow^f, Florence Pasquier^h, Stewart Johnson<sup>g

a</sup>Alzheimer's Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Bennington, Vt.,
^bDepartment of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.,
^cDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center, and
^dAudie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Affairs Hospital, San Antonio, Tex.,
^eDepartment of Neurology, Buffalo Veterans Affairs Hospital, Buffalo, N.Y.,
^fDepartment of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind., and
^gDepartment of Mathematics, Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., USA;
^hClinique Neurologique, EA2691, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, Lille, France

Address of Corresponding Author

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2007;23:401-405 (DOI: 10.1159/000101512)

  Key Words

• Dementia with Lewy bodies
• Galantamine
• Cholinesterase inhibitors
• Visual hallucinations

  Abstract

Background: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a common dementia of the elderly. A significant cholinergic deficit has been demonstrated that may be responsive to treatment by cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs). Methods: A 24-week, open-label study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of a ChEI, galantamine, in 50 patients with DLB. Results: This study showed beneficial effects with galantamine in 2 of the 3 primary efficacy parameters. The scores on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-12) improved by 8.24 points from baseline (p = 0.01) especially in visual hallucinations and nighttime behaviors (p = 0.004). The scores on the Clinician's Global Impression of Change improved by 0.5 points from baseline (p = 0.01). The third primary efficacy parameter, the Cognitive Drug Research Computerized Cognitive Assessment System, was unchanged from baseline. Adverse events were generally mild and transient. Conclusion: Galantamine appears to be an effective and safe therapy for patients with DLB.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Keith R. Edwards, MD
Neurological Research Center, Inc.
140 Hospital Drive, Suite 210
Bennington, VT 05201 (USA)
Tel. +1 802 447 7577, Fax +1 802 447 2676, E-Mail kedwards@vtneuro.com

  Article Information

Accepted: January 17, 2007
Published online: April 3, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 28