Effect of Donepezil on Cognitive Disorders Due to the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in the Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Abstract

Introduction: Many factors cause cognitive impairment, including medication, such as selective serotonine reuptake inhibitor drugs use. On the other hand, many drugs are used in cognitive impairment therapy, including donepezil, which act by inhibiting the cholinesterase enzyme and increase brain acetylcholine.

Methods: This study was a double-blind controlled randomized controlled clinical trial on the 73 numbers of 20-50 years-old patients treated with selective serotonine reuptake inhibitor drugs using Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test. They were randomly divided into two groups: placebo recipient and donepezil recipient.

The Montreal Cognitive Test- reliability 92% and IC 83% - was performed two months after drug administration in both groups.The results were analyzed by Mann-Whitney, Chi-Square, T-test and has been reviewed by SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL; Version 16.

Results: There was a significant difference in the Montreal Cognitive Test score before and after the intervention in the Donepezil group as the score increased. (Paired-T Test & P-Value < 0.0001). There was also a significant difference in Montreal Cognitive Test scores before and after the intervention in the placebo group (Paired-T Test & P-Value < 0.0001) as the score dropped.Conclusion: Cholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil, have had beneficial effects in improving cognitive impairment caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs compared to placebo.