ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of donepezil in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction caused by radiation-induced encephalopathy.Methods A total of fifty-five patients with radiation-induced cognitive impairment were divided into treatment group with extra donepezil 5-10 mg/d combined with conventional therapy and control group with conventional treatment for 16 weeks.The cognitive function was assessed according to Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) before and 16 weeks after treatment.Results After 16 weeks of treatment,the patients in treatment group displayed significantly greater improvement in cognitive function.In treatment group,the scores of patients after donepezil therapy in MoCA and MMSE were obviously higher than the control group (t =5.40,3.88,P ＜ 0.01).The scores in the visual space and executive function,naming,attention,abstract thinking,delayed memories also had improved,which suggested the statistically significant difference(t=-3.55,-3.08,-3.21,-2.58,-3.65,P＜0.05).The scores of control group unchanged accordingly.Conclusions Donepezil combined with conventional treatment was signally effective in the therapy of cognitive dysfunction caused by radiation-induced encephalopathy.