Narcissus and Daffodil

Table 14.2 Summary of human trials with galanthamine in Alzheimer’s disease
Major outcomes Side effects Comments
Design/tests used a Galanthamine daily
dosage and duration
Reference Country Patients (m = male,
f = female)
None reported Pilot study
No statistically significant
improvements in psychometric
and neuropsychometric tests.
Some individual improvements
in memory, attention, concentra-
15–30 mg, for
7 weeks
Open label, tests
unspecified
Austria 10, but 9 remaining
evaluable, with
AD-type dementia.
8 f, 1 m, mean age
77 years (range
61–89)
Germany 1f with advanced
AD, aged 60 years
Rainer
et al.,
1989
Pilot study.
Most improvement
noted with higher
doses and greater
erythrocyte
cholinesterase
inhibition.
Effects reversed
Transient tachycardia,
excitation,
headache
tion and quality of life
Case study. No significant change
in MMSE; subjective improvement
in patient appearance and
performance of daily tasks
15–55 mg, for
120 days
Open label,
MMSE
Thomsen
and
Kewitz,
1989
during washout
None reported Pilot study. Effects
of galanthamine
reversed on
withdrawal
No statistically significant
improvements. At 12 months,
the 6 remaining patients showed
positive changes in everyday
function and emotional stability
30–50 mg, for
2–16 months. 10
patients remaining
at 6 months,
6 patients remain-
Open label.
Tests
unspecified-
‘standard
neurophysio-
Austria 18 with ‘possible’
AD (NINCDS),
aged 53–83 years
Dal-Bianco
et al.,
1991
Pilot study.
Deterioration
noted during
washout period.
7 stable after
9 months, 4 stable
after 12 months
7 withdrawals due to
mainly gastro-intestinal
side effects on high
dose regimen
Non-statistically significant gains
in MMSE score.
Significant improvements in
CGIC (