title: Efficacy and safety of donepezil in patients with Alzheimer's disease in assisted living facilities.
abstract: The aim of this 12-week, open-label study was to determine the safety and efficacy of donepezil in participants with Alzheimer's disease (AD) residing in assisted living facilities (ALFs). Participants received 5 mg donepezil daily for 6 weeks followed by 10 mg daily for 6 weeks. Primary and secondary outcomes were change from baseline in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Neuropsychiatric Inventory 8 (NPI-8) scores, respectively. Safety was assessed by adverse events (AEs) and laboratory tests. Of the 97 participants, 76 completed the study. Mean MMSE score (18.7 at baseline) improved 1.8 points (P < .0001) at study end. Total NPI-8 score improved 1.8 points (P = .043). The most frequent AEs were nausea and diarrhea. Donepezil improved cognition and behavior and was safe and well tolerated. The results suggest a need for proactive screening and diagnosis of AD and support the value of treatment and use of donepezil in participants residing in ALFs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. arosenb3@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosenblatt
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mackell
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077265:Donepezil; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007189:Indans; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D000077265:Donepezil