There is increasing evidence that medications with anticholinergic effects may adversely impact cognitive function. Older adults are particularly sensitive to these effects due to age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The cumulative impact of taking one or more medications with anticholinergic properties is known as the anticholinergic burden. To quantify this burden, Boustani et al. (2008) developed the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) scale. The objective of this study is to examine whether optimizing pharmacotherapy concerning drugs with anticholinergic effects-identified by both the ACB scale and the newly developed Swe-ABS-can improve cognitive test performance among individuals attending a memory clinic. Anticholinergic drug use and cognitive performance will be assessed at baseline and at a 6-month follow-up.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
663
Specialistminnesmottagningen
Ängelholm, Sweden
Cognitive function
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Range 0-30; maximum 30 indicating preserved cognitive functioning.
Time frame: 6 months
Cognitive function
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Range 0-30; maximum 30 indicating preserved cognitive functioning.
Time frame: 6 months
Cognitive function
Trail Making Test (TMT) - A. Assessing visual attention and processing speed. Age-dependent e.g, 65-74 years of age 33 ± 11 seconds. Trail Making Test (TMT) - B. Assessing executive function especially cognitive flexibiity. Age-dependent e.g, 65-74 years of age 85 ± 25 seconds.
Time frame: 6 months
Cognitive function
Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) Neuropsychological test battery covering several cognitive domains. Age-dependent e.g, 70-79 years of age with education \< 6 years: 12-16. High education: 8-12
Time frame: 6 months
Cognitive function
Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) Assessing attention, executive function and memory. Correctly identified symbols are recorded within a time frame of 90 seconds. Age-dependent e.g, 70-74 years of age with short education: 36. High education: 43
Time frame: 6 months
Cognitive function
A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) Three moments, 1 color, 2 form and 3 color-form. Naming correctly as fast as possible.
Time frame: 6 months
Cognitive function
5x3 Memory Test A brief and structured memory test involving 15 concrete items grouped into five items on three subsequent sets. Scoring is based on immediate and delayed recall in a special scoring system.
Time frame: 6 months
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