Objective: To determine preliminarily whether donepezil will improve memory, behavior, and global function after chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Design: Sixteen-week open-label study.
Setting: Outpatient TBI rehabilitation program.
Patients: Four patients with chronic, severe TBI.
Interventions: Donepezil 5mg daily for 8 weeks followed by 10mg daily for 4 weeks.
Main outcome measures: Memory measures included the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), the Complex Figure Test (CFT), items from the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT), and a semantic fluency task. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) evaluated behavior and affect. Function was assessed by using the FIM instrument and a clinical global impression of change.
Results: On the RAVLT, the mean scores for learning and short- and long-term recall improved by 0.4, 1.04, and.83 standard deviations (SDs) above baseline, respectively. On the CFT, the mean scores for short-term recall and long-term recall improved by 1.56 and 1.38 SDs above baseline, respectively. A positive trend was observed on the RBMT and on the NPI subscales.
Conclusions: Donepezil may improve some aspects of memory and behavior in persons with chronic TBI. Randomized clinical trials are required to support these preliminary findings.
Copyright 2001 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation