CHOLINERGIC THERAPY OF BEHAVIORAL DISTURBANCES IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

Cholinergic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) may contribute to the behavioral disturbances exhibited by many AD patients, and cholinergic replacement therapy may diminish these behaviors. We compared physostigmine, an anticholinesterase agent, with haloperidol, a commonly used treatment for the delusions and hallucinations of AD, in a double-blind, crossover trial in a group of behaviorally disturbed patients with advanced AD. Both agents reduced the behavioral problems of AD, supporting a role for cholinergic dysfunction in the psychotic manifestations of AD. A high frequency of adverse side effects were produced by haloperidol.