Real-world effectiveness, its predictors and onset of action of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine in dementia: retrospective health record study

Registry review of 2 trusts in the UK (24,108 patients) found evidence that 68% of individuals respond to treatment with a period of cognitive stabilisation (2-5 months) before continuing their decline at the pre-treatment rate.

SPS commentary:

The effect is boosted in more cognitively impaired cases at the point of medication prescription, and was attenuated in those taking antipsychotics, and patients who are switched between agents at least once do not experience any beneficial cognitive effect from pharmacological treatment.

British Journal of Psychiatry