Conversion after MCI diagnosis based on use of Donepezil or

 
   Lead Investigator:    Tom Beach
   Institution      :    Arizona Alzheimers Center
   E-Mail           :    Thomas.Beach@bannerhealth.com
   Proposal ID      :    800



   Proposal Description:
   The model and stimulus for this project is a prior clinical trial of              Aricept???s influence on MCI-dementia conversion.  Also, there is a               considerable cell and animal model literature regarding a likely mechanistic      role for cholinergic M1 receptor activation in reducing the amyloidogenic         metabolism of APP. That trial had 212 conversions and found some evidence for     decreased progression in the treated group at one year but not at three years.    I think it was probably underpowered as, at the time, it was widely considered    that the great majority of MCI subjects had MCI due to AD pathology.  Since       that time, a number of groups have reported that, of subjects who die in MCI,     only 50-60 have sufficient AD pathology to have accounted for their cognitive     impairment.  This would have lowered effect size considerably, and it is likely   that the trial designers did not take this into consideration. This project       would be to determine the effects on conversion, if any, of therapy with          Aricept (donepezil) or any acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.