Objectives: We tested the efficacy and safety of linopirdine, a novel phenylindolinone, in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Methods: A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled trial of linopirdine (30 mg three times per day or placebo). Patients (n = 382, 55% male, 98% Caucasian, age range 51-95 years) with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease, of whom 375 received at least one treatment dose were analysed. There were no important differences between the groups at baseline. Results: No difference was seen in Clinical Global Impression scores between patients receiving placebo and those receiving linopirdine (n = 189). Small differences in the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) scores were seen throughout the study favouring linopirdine; at 6 months the ADAS-Cog scores were 20.2 (linopirdine) and 22

The clinical investigation of 63 patients with a hospital discharge diagnosis of dementia was reviewed. The review focused on the completeness of ancillary investigations to detect treatable causes of dementia, and on the follow-up examination to confirm the diagnosis. Patients admitted to specialized geriatric psychiatry beds were compared to those admitted to other hospital services. The clinical investigation of the groups did not differ significantly with the respect to the search for treatable dementias, and in this series no treatable cases were detected. The non-selective use of a battery of ancillary diagnostic tests is questioned. The most notable finding was the almost uniform absence of follow-up examinations to document progressive deterioration of cognitive function. The indication for such follow-up is discussed in the context of previously reported diagnostic inaccuracy in this syndrome.

No abstract

The mental status examinations of 63 patients with a hospital discharge diagnosis of dementia were reviewed. The examination and documentation of most areas of cognitive function were found to be incomplete in the majority of cases. The need for a complete examination of cognitive function is discussed in relation to the natural history of dementia and in the context of recent developments in the classification of organic mental disorders.