This is a pilot, single-group, interventional, prospective study including patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease, treated with galantamine. Galantamine is thought to benefit the cognitive functioning of those with Alzheimer's disease. The starting treatment dose is 8 mg/day for 4 weeks. The initial maintenance dose of galantamine is 16 mg/day. Patients should be maintained on 16 mg/day for 4 weeks. An increase to the maintenance dose of 24 mg/day should be considered on an individual basis after the appropriate assessment including evaluation of clinical benefit and tolerability. For individual patients not showing an increased response or not tolerating 24 mg/day, a dose reduction to 16 mg/day should be considered. The primary objective is the assessment of the modulating effect of galantamine (Reminyl PRC) on circadian rhythm (wake/sleep) in patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease. The secondary objective is to assess the perception of the physicians, caregivers and patients themselves on sleep-wake disorders in patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease before and after treatment with galantamine. Sleep disturbances will be assessed by two actigraphy measures: one, before starting treatment, and the other, 12 weeks after the first actigraphic measure. The primary endpoint is the day/night ratio measured by the actigraphy before and after treatment with galantamine in patients with moderate Alzheimer-type dementia. Concerning the Efficacy Measures, the Actigraphy will be used as a method to assess the modulating effect of galantamine on circadian rate. The impact of this modulating effect on the caregivers, patients themselves and physicians will be assessed by three questionnaires: the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI), respectively. Patient safety will be monitored. It is estimated that the study period will range from September 2010 to the second quarter of 2011.
The purpose of this study is to assess the modulating effect of galantamine on circadian rhythm in patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease.