Official Title
The Effect of Anticholinesterase Drugs on Sleep in Alzheimer's Disease Patients
Phase
Phase 4Lead Sponsor
Associacao Fundo de Incentivo a PsicofarmcologiaStudy Type
InterventionalStatus
Completed No Results PostedIndication/Condition
Alzheimer Disease Sleep Apnea, ObstructiveIntervention/Treatment
donepezil ...Study Participants
65The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of the anticholinesterase drug donepezil on sleep in Alzheimer disease patients. Sleep structure and respiratory parameters will be analyzed by polysomnography.
Central acting cholinesterase inhibitors are the first primary pharmacological treatment approved for Alzheimer disease, of which donepezil is the most frequently used. Multicenter studies have found little toxicity, and its side effects (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, nightmares, among others) are mild and transient. According to the literature, cholinergic active drugs may be expected to affect REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Another possible effect is related to respiratory parameters in patients with Alzheimer disease and obstructive sleep apnea. In fact, cholinergic activity influences the upper airway opening via central and peripheral mechanisms.
Intervention: Patients will be administered donepezil or placebo. The study has a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled design. Complete polysomnography with REM sleep EEG spectral analysis and ADAS-cog scoring will be performed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months.
donepezil 5 mg 1 p / day for 1 month and 2p / day for 5 months on.
Placebo 1p / day for 1 month and 2 / day for 5 months on
Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease based on the probability criteria of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association Rated 1 and 2 (mild to moderate level) on the Brazilian version of the Clinical Dementia Rating Exclusion Criteria: Other causes of dementia Other severe medical or psychiatric disease Clinical indication of psychoactive drugs other than experimental drug