International psychogeriatrics
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Donepezil for negative signs in elderly patients with schizophrenia: an add-on, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study.
Cognitive impairment and negative signs are common in patients with schizophrenia. Up to 35% of elderly patients with schizophrenia fulfill the diagnostic criteria of dementia. Donepezil inhibits cholinesterase, thus enhancing cholinergic neurotransmission. We tested the efficacy of donepezil in elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia and severe cognitive impairment. ⋯ Donepezil does not seem to improve negative signs and cognitive impairment in elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia.