The Efficacy of Donepezil on Cognitive Dysfunction in Subacute Post-stroke Patients

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of donepezil on cognitive dysfunction in subacute post-stroke patients. METHOD: Sixty subacute stroke subjects were enrolled and randomly assigned into an experimental or control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, sex and post-onset duration. Donepezil 5 mg was administered daily for 6 weeks to patients in the experimental group. Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), Wechsler Memory Test (WMT) and Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM) were performed before and 6 weeks after administration of the study drug in both groups. RESULTS: There was no difference between the two groups in the MMSE, WMT, CPM scores at baseline. Six weeks later, the total score, memory input, recall and judgement as measured by the MMSE and the score on the WMT were significantly more improved in the experimental group when compared to the control group (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups on the CPM score. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that donepezil may be helpful for improving cognitive function, especially memory in post-stroke patients.