Is Donepezil Effective for Multiple Sclerosis-related Cognitive Dysfunction?

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cognitive dysfunction affects approximately half of the patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Cholinesterase inhibitor drugs are approved to treat cognitive dysfunction associated with degenerative dementia. OBJECTIVE: To critically assess current evidence regarding the efficacy of the cholinesterase inhibitor, donepezil in the treatment of MS-associated cognitive impairment. METHODS: The objective was addressed through the development of a structured critically appraised topic. This included a clinical scenario, structured question, literature search strategy, critical appraisal, results, evidence summary, commentary, and bottom line conclusions. Participants included consultant and resident neurologists, a medical librarian, clinical epidemiologists, and content experts in the fields of behavioral neurology and MS. RESULTS: A randomized control trial was selected for critical appraisal. This trial randomized MS patients to receive donepezil 10 mg daily or placebo for treatment of MS-related cognitive dysfunction. There was no significant treatment effect found between the 2 groups on either the primary outcome of memory or any of the secondary cognitive measures. Post hoc analyses suggested a trend favoring donepezil in subjects with greater baseline cognitive dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Donepezil 10 mg daily for 24 weeks is not superior to placebo in improving MS-related cognitive dysfunction.