Donepezil for the Treatment of Agitation in Alzheimer's Disease

Agitation is common in patients with Alzheimer's disease and is distressing to both patients and their caregivers. In this randomized trial of 272 patients with Alzheimer's disease who had agitated behavior that did not respond to a psychosocial treatment program, donepezil (5 mg for 4 weeks and 10 mg for 8 weeks) was not more effective than placebo in reducing agitation. In patients with Alzheimer's disease who had agitated behavior that did not respond to a psychosocial treatment program, donepezil was not more effective than placebo in reducing agitation. Alzheimer's disease causes a progressive decline in cognitive and functional ability and distress on the part of both patients and their caregivers. Agitation, a cluster of related symptoms that includes anxiety, irritability, and motor restlessness, leading to behaviors such as pacing, wandering, shouting, and aggression, 1 is seen in 24% of people with Alzheimer's disease who live in the community 2 and in 48% of those living in residential care facilities. 3 Behavioral and psychological symptoms in Alzheimer's disease are distressing to caregivers 4 , 5 and often precipitate the transition to residential care. 6 Atypical neuroleptic agents remain the mainstay of drug treatment despite only . . .