Acute response to cholinergic challenge predicts long-term response to galantamine treatment in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Baakman AC, Gavan C, van Doeselaar L, de Kam M, Broekhuizen K, Bajenaru O, Camps L, Swart EL, Kalisvaart K, Schoonenboom N, Lemstra E, Scheltens P, Cohen A, van Gerven J, Groeneveld GJ

Cholinesterase inhibitors (CEIs) have been shown to improve cognitive functioning in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, but are associated with multiple side effects and only 20-40% of the patients clinically improve. In this study, we aimed to investigate the acute pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of administration of a single dose of galantamine on central nervous system (CNS) functioning in mild to moderate AD patients and its potential to predict long-term treatment response.