Efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors treatment in dementia with Lewy bodies: A 3-year follow-up ‘real world’ study

Abstract

Background

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Currently, no specific therapeutic agents are available for DLB. However, evidence of cholinergic deficits suggests that enhancing central cholinergic function may be a viable therapeutic approach.

Objective

To assess cognitive changes in DLB patients treated with cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) in a real-world setting.

Methods

This retrospective study in a prospective database analyzed data from three dementia clinics between May 2012 and December 2022. Patients with DLB were divided into two groups: those treated with ChEIs and those untreated. Differences in changes in multiple cognitive-related scales between the two groups were analyzed.

Results

The study included 204 DLB patients, with 133 (65.2%) in the ChEIs group and 71 (34.8%) in the non-ChEIs group. Initial demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between groups. Over time, patients in the ChEIs group showed significantly higher scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment compared to the non-ChEIs group, indicating improved cognitive function. No significant differences were observed in activities of daily living scores.

Conclusions

ChEIs improved cognitive symptoms in DLB patients in the “real world” study. These findings are consistent with those from a previous small-sample randomized controlled trial. Longitudinal data indicate sustained benefits with continuous ChEIs use in three years. Overall, ChEIs show substantial potential for improving cognitive symptoms in DLB patients.