Donepezil hydrochloride: a double-blind study in autistic children

摘要: Recent studies in autistic brain samples have shown diminished acetylcholine and nicotinic receptor activity. We hypothesized that acetylcholinergic enhancement may pharmacologically improve some characteristics. Donepezil hydrochloride, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, was studied previously two open label which showed improvement the expressive receptive speech aberrant behaviors of children. therefore undertook a double-blind placebo controlled study to confirm these findings. Forty-three patients (35 males, 8 females, average age 6.8 yrs., range 2.1–10.3 yrs), with diagnoses Autistic Spectrum Disorders enrolled randomized six-week, doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial donepezil additional six weeks open-label treatment. Change evaluated by Childhood Rating Scale, Gardner’s Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test, Revised, Receptive Test. Testing administered at baseline, twelveweek follow-up. gains, as well decreases severity overall behavior, were documented after 6-weeks for treatment group. These improvements statistically significant when compared placebo, clinically meaningful assessed over time. hydrochloride appears language features, consistent hypothesis enhancement. (J Pediatr Neurol 2003; 1(2): 83–88).