Rivastigmine for Alzheimer's disease

Rivastigmine (Exelon-Novartis) is the second cholinesterase inhibitor marketed for symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's dementia, and follows [symbol: see text] donepezil (Aricept-Eisai; Pfizer). Previously, we have been "unconvinced of the value of donepezil in routine clinical practice". Rivastigmine has been promoted with the slogan "Beyond cognition: improving functional ability". Does rivastigmine offer useful benefits in Alzheimer's disease?