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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2005 Sep-Oct;20(5):295–302. doi: 10.1177/153331750502000502

Effects of galantamine on working memory and global functioning in patients with mild cognitive impairment: A double-blind placebo-controlled study

Jennifer Koontz 1, Andrius Baskys 2
PMCID: PMC10833248  PMID: 16273995

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) causes memory impairment and executive function deficits in those with the condition. There is also some evidence that MCI patients are impaired in their daily functioning. Cholinesterase inhibitors have been widely used for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), with evidence of improving cognitive function. There is currently no established treatment for MCI, and cholinesterase inhibitors are beginning to be studied in these patients. Galantamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor that also has nicotinic receptor-modulating properties that has been successful in improving AD patients. This study examined the effects of galantamine in patients with MCI in areas of memory, executive functioning, and global functioning. There was a significant improvement in scores on the Functional Activities Questionnaire, which is a measure of global functioning. There were also improvements in the galantamine group on two of six measures in the Cambridge Automated Neuropsychiatric Test Assessment Battery and in immediate free recall on the California Verbal Learning Test.

Keywords: mild cognitive impairment, memory, galantamine, pharmacotherapy, cholinesterase inhibitors, nicotinic receptors

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Contributor Information

Jennifer Koontz, Southern California Institute for Research and Education, Long Beach, Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Pepperdine University, Irvine, California..

Andrius Baskys, Southern California Institute for Research and Education, Long Beach, VA, Health Care System Mental Illness Research and Education Clinical Center (MIRECC), Long Beach, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California..

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