A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors on Cognition for Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) including donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine in delaying cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. It addresses three primary objectives: overall efficacy assessment, comparison of cognitive benefits across AChEI types, and identification of research gaps. The review, comprising 45 selected articles, reveals consistent evidence of AChEI efficacy in improving cognitive outcomes in AD. While higher AChEI doses show potential for greater cognitive improvement, they also elevate the risk of adverse effects. Donepezil is noted for memory enhancement and slowing cognitive decline, galantamine for memory and attention, and rivastigmine for executive function improvement.