Objective: Because cholinergic deficits are prominent in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), we investigated the effects of a cholinesterase inhibitor, donepezil, in such patients in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory phase 2 trial.; Methods: One-hundred forty patients with DLB, recruited from 48 specialty centers in Japan, were randomly assigned to receive placebo or 3, 5, […]
Background/aims: Patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) are often given shunt operations to reduce the triad symptoms (cognitive impairment, gait disturbance and urinary disturbance). We examined whether they also reduce caregiver burden.; Methods: The personal strain (PS) and role strain (RS) factors, which are related to the stress and constraints, respectively, on the caregivers […]
Background/aims: To investigate the safety and efficacy of long-term administration (52 weeks) of donepezil in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).; Methods: This was a 52-week, multicenter, open-label extension study. Up to 8 weeks after the completion of the preceding randomized, placebo-controlled trial (RCT), patients started treatment with 3 mg of donepezil daily for […]