Donepezil trial for motor recovery in acute stroke
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised-controlled trial of donepezil for motor recovery in acute stroke
IRAS ID
67159
Contact name
Paul Bentley
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Eudract number
2010-024048-14
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Research summary
Stroke occurs when part of the brain is damaged following impaired blood supply to the brain. It is one of the commonest causes of severe adult disability, for which there is currently no established, effective treatment. Following stroke, the brain is able to partly compensate for the resultant functional deficiencies, yet two-thirds of stroke survivors are still left with persisting impairments. If the innate neural mechanisms of recovery could be optimised then we might expect to achieve a higher degree of performance recovery than is presently seen.In this study we aim to boost one mechanism by which the brain is found to reorganize as part of the rehabilitation process following stroke. This mechanism rests upon a certain chemical neurotransmitter - acetylcholine - whose presence is required to achieve reorganization of neural circuits necessary for recovery. Importantly, the nerve cells that carry acetylcholine are frequently damaged following stroke, implying that patients' recovery may be hampered by a lack of innate acetylcholine. Consequently, we aim to treat patients with a drug - donepezil - that increases brain acetylcholine level, with the expectation that this may potentiate recovery. Donepezil has been used for many years to treat cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease, and has been trialled in chronic stroke with slight benefits, in both cases with a favourable safety profile. Since most recovery occurs early after stroke (within weeks or a few months) the potential for benefit would be expected to be greatest during this critical time window. Our trial aims to assess the effects of donepezil on patients with motor deficits, when administered within the first three months following stroke.
REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
11/LO/1799
Date of REC Opinion
22 Dec 2011
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion