Alzheimer’s Drug Shows Promise in Treating TBI
Early evidence from new research out of Dublin has shown that patients with traumatic brain injuries who were treated with an Alzheiher’s drug over a year showed improvements in memory and attention. Currently, individuals presenting with dementia are prescribed Donepezil, sold under the name Aricept. Purportedly it increases levels of a brain chemical linked to memory. Aricept suppresses a natural enzyme which normally breaks down acetylcholine, a brain chemical that allows neurons to pass messages to each other. The study came about in discussions between Alzheimer’s doctors and those treating traumatic brain injury patients at a rehabilitation hospital. Dr. Simone Carter, who led the research, began a pilot study of nine patients and found that a daily dose of Aricept improved memory, concentration and attention while also appearing to reduce fatique. Dr. Simone still believes a larger clinical trail involving 200 or more patients is still needed to prove the efficacy of application of Aricept.
