The Spectrum of Behavioral Responses to Cholinesterase Inhibitor Therapy in Alzheimer Disease

Abstract
CHOLINESTERASE inhibitor therapy in Alzheimer disease (AD) may provide cognitive1,2 and behavioral symptomatic improvement for some patients.3,4 Not all patients respond to cholinergic therapy; there is a response distribution from marked to no improvement.5 If significant cognitive response is measured by an improvement of at least 7 points on the cognitive portion of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale,6 then 26% of patients with AD may respond to cholinesterase inhibitor therapy (using donepezil hydrochloride) in 24 weeks of treatment.5