BACKGROUND. Behavioral problems exhibited by persons with Alzheimer’s disease are distressing for caregivers and are associated with a number of negative outcomes, including increased risk of long-term care placement. Studies of cholinesterase inhibitor therapy for up to 1 year document modest improvements in behavioral symptoms and functional status.OBJECTIVE. The long-term effects of rivastigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, on behavioral symptoms and functional status in a sample of patients with Alzheimer’s disease were examined.DESIGN. This is an observational study of behavioral data reported by care-givers for 32 initially mild to moderate Alzheimer’s patients participating in an open-label extension of a prospective, randomized study of rivastigmine as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.RESULTS. Patients followed in the open-label phase of this trial experienced a decline in behavioral symptoms in general and a decline in symptoms identified as most troubling by the caregiver.CONCLUSION. This study supports the effectiveness of cholinesterase inhibitors, such as rivastigmine, in the long-term management of behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer’s patients.
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