Treatment with the cholinesterase inhibitor Exelon® (rivastigmine tartrate) may improve daily living for patients with Alzheimer's disease of all stages, according to data presented at the 15th annual meeting of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.

Researchers studied the results of three double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of 2,105 patients with Alzheimer's disease.

At week 26 of the study, patients receiving 6 to 12 mg. per day of Exelon demonstrated statistically significant improvements when compared to patients given a placebo in measurements of activities of daily living. Activities of daily living include abilities such as using the phone, telling time or dressing oneself.

"It's important that we measure the impact of Alzheimer's disease treatment on activities of daily living because that's a good gauge of how Alzheimer's disease adversely affects how people function in practical, real-world settings, and because it is of great concern to patients and their families," said Dr. Steven G. Potkin, psychiatrist at the University of California, Irvine and lead author of the study. "In the study, patients who were treated with rivastigmine consistently showed benefits on activities that were assessed compared to those receiving placebo."

Exelon is currently approved for use in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

Other sources: Novartis