Is Donepezil Effective for Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Donepezil was not more effective than placebo, according to the study’s primary endpoint.

A substantial proportion of patients with the amnestic (memory-impairment) subtype of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) eventually progresses to Alzheimer disease. In this industry-sponsored study, researchers examined the effect of donepezil — approved for use in Alzheimer disease but not MCI — in 821 patients with amnestic MCI.

Patients were randomized to 48-week courses of donepezil or placebo. The investigators specified that donepezil would not be considered superior to placebo unless it was favored in scores on both of two primary endpoints (the ADAS-cog, which evaluates cognition, and the CDR-SB, which evaluates cognition and function).

At 48 weeks, mean ADAS-cog scores were significantly improved in the donepezil group compared with the…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Is Donepezil Effective for Mild Cognitive Impairment?

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Reviewing Author