Pharmacological treatment of AD is currently based on cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) and memantine, which have been shown to lead to modest, although effective, clinical benefits. Donepezil is a ChEI metabolized through the cytochrome P (CYP) 450, primarily by the 3A4 and 2D6 isoforms. The CYP2D6 gene presents polymorphisms that can alter its expression. The plasma therapeutic level ranges from 30 to 75 ng/mL, and 50% of acetylcholinesterase inhibition is achieved when the concentration reaches 15.6 ng/mL. An optimal plasma level is greater than 50 ng/mL. These polymorphisms may influence the individual's response to treatment with donepezil and the concentration of the drug in AD patients, without achieving the desired effect. However, most of the individuals are EM, i.e., the metabolism of the drug occurs according to the expected kinetics and is associated with the presence of one or two wild-type alleles. Objective: investigate the pattern of clinical response to donepezil in a group of patients with AD and AD with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in relation to the plasmatic concentration of donepezil and polymorphisms of the CYP2D6 and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genes.
Patients taking donepezil were seen four times (from June 2009 to March 2013) and were submitted to the MMSE test, the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer'sDisease battery (CERAD), and the Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire. CERAD memory evaluation was further divided into five components: incidental recall (CERAD151 INC), immediate recall 1 and 2 (CERAD-RM1, CERAD-RM2, respectively) and delayed recall after five minutes (CERAD-R). Each aspect was analyzed individually and compared between groups at baseline and after 12 months of treatment with donepezil. All patients had blood samples (10mL) collected to obtain donepezil plasmatic concentration (DPC) measurements and for APOE and CYP2D6 genotyping.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
37
Association among donepezil serum concentration after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment onset and clinical response.
Evaluate the serum concentration of donepezil after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment onset in patients considered good responders (i.e., those who had an increment \>1 in MMSE in comparison to baseline assessment after 1 year of donepezil treatment) in contrast to those considered bad responders (i.e., who had a reduction, a stabilization or an increment of 1 in MMSE in comparison to baseline assessment after 1 year of donepezil treatment).
Time frame: September, 2009 until March, 2013
Evaluation of baseline cognitive performance
Assess the baseline cognitive performance among included patients (notedly, MMSE test, CERAD batteries, and in the Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire).
Time frame: June, 2009 until March, 2012
Evaluation of CYP2D6 and APOE polymorphisms
Evaluation of CYP2D6 and APOE polymorphisms among included patients.
Time frame: June, 2009 until March, 2012
Evaluate donepezil serum concentration after 3 months of treatment onset.
Measurement of donepezil serum concentration after 3 months of treatment onset.
Time frame: September, 2009 until June, 2012
Evaluate donepezil serum concentration after 6 months of treatment onset.
Measurement of donepezil serum concentration after 6 months of treatment onset.
Time frame: December, 2009 until September, 2012
Evaluate donepezil serum concentration after 12 months of treatment onset.
Measurement of donepezil serum concentration after 12 months of treatment onset.
Time frame: June, 2010 until March, 2013
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