Donepezil in the treatment of ADHD-like symptoms in youths with pervasive developmental disorder: a case series.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies reported ADHD-like symptoms and cognitive deficits in pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). Because work in dementia documents improvement in executive function deficits with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil, the authors reason that similar benefits could be obtained in PDD.


METHODS
The authors describe eight cases of PDD youth ages 10 to 17 treated with donepezil targeting ADHD-like symptoms associated with PDD.


RESULTS
Most participants improve ADHD-like symptomatology. In addition, improvement in communication and socialization is noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Donepezil may have a role in treating ADHD-like symptoms in children with PDD.
Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, USA. rdoyle@partners.org
Robert L
RL
Doyle
Jean
J
Frazier
Thomas J
TJ
Spencer
Daniel
D
Geller
Joseph
J
Biederman
Timothy
T
Wilens
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003142:Communication; D000077265:Donepezil; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012919:Social Behavior
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007189:Indans; D010880:Piperidines; D000077265:Donepezil