Abstract
There have been many advancements in the pharmacologic treatment of schizophrenia; however, negative symptoms and cognitive impairment remain an intractable part of this illness. Donepezil is an anticholinesterase inhibitor with cognitive enhancing effects approved for the treatment of Alzheimer disease that has shown some benefit in the treatment of schizophrenia. In this study, 15 inpatients at a state hospital with a history of schizophrenia were administered donepezil in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. Neurocognitive testing and psychiatric ratings were completed at baseline and at regular intervals for 18 weeks. Results indicated that donepezil treatment was associated with modest improvements in psychiatric symptoms and improved verbal learning. These results suggest that donepezil may be helpful as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of psychiatric symptoms and cognitive impairment in a subgroup of schizophrenic patients.
Publication types
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Randomized Controlled Trial
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Acetylcholine / physiology
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Adult
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Cholinesterase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
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Cholinesterase Inhibitors / adverse effects
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Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
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Cognition Disorders / drug therapy
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Cognition Disorders / etiology
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Cognition Disorders / psychology
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Cross-Over Studies
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Donepezil
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Double-Blind Method
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Female
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Humans
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Indans / administration & dosage
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Indans / adverse effects
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Indans / therapeutic use*
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Neuropsychological Tests
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Nootropic Agents / administration & dosage
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Nootropic Agents / adverse effects
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Nootropic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Piperidines / administration & dosage
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Piperidines / adverse effects
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Piperidines / therapeutic use*
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Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
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Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
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Schizophrenia / physiopathology
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Schizophrenic Psychology
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Verbal Learning / drug effects
Substances
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Cholinesterase Inhibitors
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Indans
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Nootropic Agents
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Piperidines
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Donepezil
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Acetylcholine