A drug used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease has been found to be effective in the treatment of vascular dementia, according to researchers at the University of California in Los Angeles.

As a result, researchers suggest that early drug therapy for most dementia patients may be warranted even before it is determined whether they have Alzheimer's.

"We found that cholinesterase inhibitors will benefit patients with Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia, or mixed cases involving both Alzheimer's and vascular causes. This provides further support for treating patients with these drugs early in the diagnostic assessment period," said Dr. Gary W. Small, director of the UCLA Center on Aging and lead author.

Cholinesterase inhibitors can temporarily improve memory and other cognitive functions early in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers have speculated that these drugs could also improve brain function in patients whose cognitive decline is caused by deteriorating circulation to the brain.

In the six-month study, 359 patients with dementia related to cerebrovascular disease were given the cholinesterase inhibitor Reminyl (galantamine), and 178 patients were given a placebo.

Patients taking Reminyl showed significant improvement over the placebo group on several standard tests of cognitive function and behavioral symptoms.

In a comparison of patients with mild dementia versus patients with moderate dementia, treatment with Reminyl led to significant improvement on a test of cognitive function in the mild group but not in the moderate group. However, the patients with more severe dementia showed a slightly greater benefit on their behavioral symptoms.

"These are the kinds of problems -- agitation, aggression, and psychosis -- that are particularly difficult for family members and caregivers," said Small.

Other sources: American Neurological Association