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Relevance of Donepezil in Enhancing Learning and Memory in Special Populations: A Review of the Literature

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Abstract

This review discusses the laboratory and clinical research supporting the rationale for the efficacy of donepezil (Aricept® USA) in enhancing cognition in autism, Alzheimer disease, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injury, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia. While preliminary animal models have shown effective, human studies exclusive of Alzheimer disease are sparse. Although attention and memory are unlikely a sole operation of the cholinergic system, evidence indicates a promising direction for further examination of this hypothesis in autism. Studies that examine changes in operationally defined behaviors and reliable and valid measure of changes in attention and memory are needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Autism and Related Disorders, 3001 Bee Caves Road, Austin, TX, 78746, USA

    J. Helen Yoo

  2. Psychology Department, Drake University, 2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50311, USA

    Maria G. Valdovinos

  3. Parsons Research Center, University of Kansas, 2601 Gabriel Parsons, KS, 67357, USA

    Dean C. Williams

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  1. J. Helen Yoo
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  2. Maria G. Valdovinos
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  3. Dean C. Williams
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Correspondence to J. Helen Yoo.

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Yoo, J.H., Valdovinos, M.G. & Williams, D.C. Relevance of Donepezil in Enhancing Learning and Memory in Special Populations: A Review of the Literature. J Autism Dev Disord 37, 1883–1901 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0322-8

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