Close up image of a caretaker helping older woman walk

Aricept, a drug commonly used to treat the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, does not appear to ease agitation associated with the disease, new research shows.

A three-month study found no significant difference in agitation between participants given Aricept and those who were in a placebo group, according to British researchers. Most of the participants were nursing home residents with severe dementia and difficult-to-manage behaviors.

While Aricept had no affect on agitation, investigators did note there was a modest improvement in cognitive function among participants taking Aricept. The study was reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.