Alzheimer's Drugs Ineffective In Delaying Dementia Onset
According to researchers, the provision of Alzheimer's drugs to those exhibiting initial problems with memory does not seem to put off the start of the condition.
Three principal drugs are, at present, approved for use in Alzheimer's disease up to moderate stage: Shire PLC's Reminyl (galantamine), Pfizer/ Eisai's Aricept (doneprezil) and Novartis AG's Exelon (rivastigmine). The trio can also be prescribed in cases of pre-dementia.
However, GPs are split over whether they can be effective or not - a division which has led to varying frequencies of use and highly contested arguments regarding the level to which patients can get access to them.
Some analysts have urged for these drugs - known collectively as anti-cholinesterase - to be provided to patients suffering from MCI, or 'Mild Cognitive Impairment' - people believed to be more likely to subsequently develop dementia or Alzheimer's.
Trials: No Strong Evidence that Alzheimer's Drugs Lessened Dementia Onset
However, researchers in Italy have now observed the results of six clinical trials - none of which showed that the intervention of these drugs significantly lessened the process of MCI turning into dementia.
The results of the Italian team's findings appeared in the internet publication PLoS Medicine, which reported that an in-depth evaluation of the precise effects of the Alzheimer's drugs trialled was blurred in the absence of a clear definition for MCI.
The research, however, may incite a re-evaluation among GPs presently prescribing anti-cholinesterase drugs for cases of MCI. These prescriptions, incidentally, are taking place 'off-label': in other words - where the drug in question does not have official approval to be prescribed.
The principal researcher involved was Roberto Raschetti.
It is estimated that, in Italy, Alzheimer's drugs are prescribed off-label to 27 per cent of people diagnosed as having MCI. A comparable rate of provision was likely elsewhere in the world, Mr Raschetti added.
He urged for additional clinical trials - based on a universally-agreed definition of MCI - before the prescription of Alzheimer's drugs in MCI patients could be fully justified.
Earlier in 2007, an argument erupted in the UK after the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence ruled that Alzheimer's drugs should not be given to mild-stage patients.
Source - Pharmaceutical International's European Correspondent
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