Donepezil in schizophrenia--is it helpful? An experimental design case study
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Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
G W MacEwan1, T S Ehmann, I Khanbhai
1Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, 749 W. 33rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5Z 2K4.
Objective:
To assess the clinical and cognitive effects of adding donepezil, a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, to the risperidone treatment of a high functioning stable out-patient with schizophrenia.
Method:
Case study using an experimental ABAB design. Assessments were completed objectively by standardized neuropsychological tests and clinical rating scales and subjectively with visual analogue scales.
Results:
Strong improvements attributable to donepezil were found for verbal fluency and the patient's subjective response. No adverse changes were noted in psychiatric symptoms or side effects.
Conclusion:
Cholinergic enhancement as an adjunctive treatment in schizophrenia should be explored in larger controlled trials.
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