Long-Term Efficacy of Galantamine in Alzheimer's Disease: The Okayama Galantamine Study (OGS).

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most significant diseases affecting an increasingly aging society.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the long-term efficacy of galantamine treatment in a Japanese population.

METHODS

We performed "Okayama Galantamine Study (OGS)" to retrospectively analyze the clinical effects of galantamine in 279 AD patients using 7 batteries for assessing dementia at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. We further analyzed the effects of galantamine based on gender and the severity of their baseline cognitive, affective, and activity of daily living (ADL) functions.

RESULTS

In all 279 AD patients (80.6 ± 7.2 years old, MMSE 20.0 ± 4.5), cognitive functions were well preserved until 12 months and even frontal assessment battery improved after 12 months although Hasegawa dementia scale-revised finally worsened at 24 months ( *p <  0.05) with galantamine treatment. Affective and ADL functions were also well maintained after galantamine treatment with significant improvement of Geriatric Depression Scale scores at 3 months ( *p <  0.05). Subanalyses showed the better response to galantamine for male and lower baseline function subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our present study (OGS) revealed a long-term efficacy of galantamine in very elderly AD patients, and suggested a better efficacy for male and baseline lower cognitive, affective, and ADL functions.