Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease: response to donepezil.
BACKGROUND
Individuals with Down syndrome who develop Alzheimer disease may show an improvement in cognitive functioning after treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether individuals with Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease will show improvement after institution of donepezil treatment.


METHODS
A nonrandomized controlled trial using donepezil in a pilot study format.


METHODS
Academic medical center.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 6 treated patients with Down syndrome and 9 closely matched historical control subjects.


METHODS
Oral administration of donepezil for a 5-month period.


METHODS
The Down Syndrome Dementia Scale.


RESULTS
Significant improvement in dementia scores for the treated group during a 3- to 5-month period (P =.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors may be helpful in reversing the symptoms of dementia during early and middle stages of cognitive decline. These findings support the rationale for a more extensive study of the efficacy of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in Down syndrome dementia.
Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, 101 The City Dr S, Bldg 2, Third Floor, Orange, CA 92868-4482, USA. Itlott@uci.edu
Ira T
IT
Lott
Kathryn
K
Osann
Eric
E
Doran
Linda
L
Nelson
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077265:Donepezil; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007189:Indans; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D000077265:Donepezil