Abstract
Previous research suggests separate neural networks for implicit (non-declarative) and explicit (declarative) memory processes. A core cognitive impairment in mild to moderate Alzheimers disease (AD) is a pronounced declarative memory and learning deficit with relative preservation of non-declarative memory. Cholinesterase inhibitors has been purported to enhance cognitive function, and previous clinical trials consistently showed that donepezil, a reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), led to statistically significant improvements in cognition and patient function. This prospective pilot study is a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating 10 patients with AD. Our purpose was to examine the relationship between declarative and non-declarative capability with particular emphasis on implicit sequence learning. Patients were assessed at baseline and again at 4-weeks. After participants baseline data were obtained, each was double-blindly randomized to one of two groups: donepezil or placebo. At baseline participants were tested with two outcome measures (Serial Reaction Time Task, Alzheimers Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale). Participants were given either 5 mg donepezil or an identically appearing placebo to be taken nightly for 4 weeks (28 tablets), and then retested. The donepezil group demonstrated a greater likelihood of increases in both nondeclarative and declarative processes. The placebo group was mixed without clearly definable trends or patterns. When the data were examined for coincidental changes in the two outcome measures together they are suggestive of a benefit from donepezil treatment for non-declarative and declarative processes.
Keywords: Implicit learning, serial reaction time task, procedural memory, declarative memory, Alzheimer's disease, cognition
Current Alzheimer Research
Title: Does the Cholinesterase Inhibitor, Donepezil, Benefit Both Declarative and Non-Declarative Processes in Mild to Moderate Alzheimers Disease?
Volume: 4 Issue: 3
Author(s): Carolee J. Winstein, Kirk R. Bentzen, Lara Boyd and Lon S. Schneider
Affiliation:
Keywords: Implicit learning, serial reaction time task, procedural memory, declarative memory, Alzheimer's disease, cognition
Abstract: Previous research suggests separate neural networks for implicit (non-declarative) and explicit (declarative) memory processes. A core cognitive impairment in mild to moderate Alzheimers disease (AD) is a pronounced declarative memory and learning deficit with relative preservation of non-declarative memory. Cholinesterase inhibitors has been purported to enhance cognitive function, and previous clinical trials consistently showed that donepezil, a reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), led to statistically significant improvements in cognition and patient function. This prospective pilot study is a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating 10 patients with AD. Our purpose was to examine the relationship between declarative and non-declarative capability with particular emphasis on implicit sequence learning. Patients were assessed at baseline and again at 4-weeks. After participants baseline data were obtained, each was double-blindly randomized to one of two groups: donepezil or placebo. At baseline participants were tested with two outcome measures (Serial Reaction Time Task, Alzheimers Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale). Participants were given either 5 mg donepezil or an identically appearing placebo to be taken nightly for 4 weeks (28 tablets), and then retested. The donepezil group demonstrated a greater likelihood of increases in both nondeclarative and declarative processes. The placebo group was mixed without clearly definable trends or patterns. When the data were examined for coincidental changes in the two outcome measures together they are suggestive of a benefit from donepezil treatment for non-declarative and declarative processes.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Carolee J. Winstein , Kirk R. Bentzen , Lara Boyd and Lon S. Schneider , Does the Cholinesterase Inhibitor, Donepezil, Benefit Both Declarative and Non-Declarative Processes in Mild to Moderate Alzheimers Disease?, Current Alzheimer Research 2007; 4 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720507781077296
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720507781077296 |
Print ISSN 1567-2050 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5828 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New Advances in the Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Alzheimer's Disease
Aims and Scope: Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing prevalence that demands concerted efforts to advance our understanding and strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. This thematic issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and innovative approaches from multidisciplinary perspectives to address ...read more
Current updates on the Role of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neuroinflammation is an invariable hallmark of chronic and acute neurodegenerative disorders and has long been considered a potential drug target for Alzheimer?s disease (AD) and dementia. Significant evidence of inflammatory processes as a feature of AD is provided by the presence of inflammatory markers in plasma, CSF and postmortem brain ...read more
Deep Learning for Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Research
Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing number of individuals affected yearly. Deep learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence, has shown immense potential in various domains, including healthcare. This thematic issue of Current Alzheimer Research explores the application of deep learning techniques in advancing our ...read more
Diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers of dementia
Dementia affects 18 million people worldwide. Dementia is a syndrome of symptoms caused by brain disease, usually chronic or progressive, clinically characterized by multiple impairments of higher cortical functions such as memory, thinking, orientation, and learning. In addition, in the course of dementia, cognitive deficits are observed, which often hinder ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Role of Methylene Blue in Trauma Neuroprotection and Neuropsychiatric Diseases
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Acetylcholinesterase-Amyloid-β-peptide Interaction: Effect of Congo Red and the Role of the Wnt Pathway
Current Alzheimer Research Targeting of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Treatment of Schizophrenia and the Use of Auditory Sensory Gating as a Translational Biomarker
Current Pharmaceutical Design Advances in the Understanding of the Gabaergic Neurobiology of FMR1 Expanded Alleles Leading to Targeted Treatments for Fragile X Spectrum Disorder
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Effects of Vitamin B in Depression
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Many Faces of Aβ: Structures and Activity
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents Translational Multimodality Neuroimaging
Current Drug Targets Regenerative Potential of Stem Cells Derived from Human Exfoliated Deciduous (SHED) Teeth during Engineering of Human Body Tissues
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Isolation and Characterisation of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors from Aquilaria subintegra for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
Current Alzheimer Research A Partial Failure of Membrane Protein Turnover May Cause Alzheimers Disease: A New Hypothesis
Current Alzheimer Research Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity in Patients with Pituitary Dysfunctions
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Redox Processes in Neurodegenerative Disease Involving Reactive Oxygen Species
Current Neuropharmacology Nanotubes at Neural and Immune Synapses
Current Medicinal Chemistry Cannabidiol and Sodium Nitroprusside: Two Novel Neuromodulatory Pharmacological Interventions to Treat and Prevent Psychosis
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Microglial Senescence
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Principles and Applications of Diffuse Optical Imaging for the Brain
Current Medical Imaging Editorial [Hot Topic New Clinical Indications of Antipsychotic Medications Guest Editors: Filippo Bogetto and Silvio Bellino]
Current Psychopharmacology 5-HT6 Receptor Antagonists as Potential Therapeutics for Cognitive Impairment
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Nano-constructed Carriers Loaded With Antioxidant: Boon For Cardiovascular System
Current Pharmaceutical Design Prevalence of Analgesic Use and Pain in People with and without Dementia or Cognitive Impairment in Aged Care Facilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Current Clinical Pharmacology