Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive condition that affects cognition, function, and behavior. Approximately 60-90% of patients with AD develop neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) such as hallucinations, delusions, agitation/aggression, dysphoria/depression, anxiety, irritability, disinhibition, euphoria, apathy, aberrant motor behavior, sleep disturbances, appetite and eating changes, or altered sexual behavior. These noncognitive behavior changes are thought to result from anatomical and biochemical changes within the brain, and have been linked, in part, to cholinergic deficiency. Cholinesterase inhibitors may reduce the emergence of NPS and have a role in their treatment. These agents may delay initiation of, or reduce the need for, other drugs such as antipsychotics. This article summarizes the effects of donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor, on the NPS of dementia with emphasis on AD and dementia with Lewy bodies.
Keywords: Alzheimer disease; Behavioral symptoms; Cholinesterase inhibitors; Dementia; Donepezil.
© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.