The effects of donepezil on postlearning sleep EEG of healthy older adults.
BACKGROUND
Aging is associated with cholinergic hypofunction and memory decline. Cholinergic activity also plays a crucial role in sleep-dependent memory consolidation. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChE-I) donepezil has been found to increase sleep-related procedural memory consolidation in healthy older adults in a previous study.


METHODS
Data of the former study were reanalyzed with regard to the effects of donepezil on the sleep EEG of healthy older adults. This analysis was conducted with a special focus on spectral parameters of sleep, which have previously been linked to plasticity-related processes during sleep, i.e., sigma and delta activity. Forty-two participants (aged: 60-77 years) received 5 mg of the AChE-I donepezil orally 30 min before bedtime in a placebo-controlled, double-blind design. Power values for EEG delta, theta, alpha1, alpha 2, sigma, beta and gamma frequency bands were calculated for stage 2 NREM sleep, SWS and REM sleep.


RESULTS
In line with our hypotheses, the AChE-I donepezil led to an increase in sigma activity during stage 2 NREM sleep and delta activity during slow wave sleep.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that an AChE-I facilitates processes of sleep-dependent memory consolidation in older adults.
Hornung
O P
OP
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany. orla.hornung@charite.de
Regen
F
F
Dorn
H
H
Anghelescu
I
I
Kathmann
N
N
Schredl
M
M
Danker-Hopfe
H
H
Heuser
I
I
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077265:Donepezil; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects; D013057:Spectrum Analysis
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007189:Indans; D010880:Piperidines; D000077265:Donepezil