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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Transcranial Pulse Stimulation for Alzheimer's Patients
Published on: April 4, 2025
Preliminary findings: behavioral worsening on donepezil in patients with frontotemporal dementia
Mario F Mendez1, Jill S Shapira, Aaron McMurtray
1Department of Neurology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. mmendez@ucla.edu
Objective:
The objective of this study was to evaluate donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, in the treatment of frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Methods:
Twelve patients with FTD who received donepezil for six months were compared with 12 FTD controls on behavioral measures.
Results:
The groups did not differ on most variables at baseline or at six months; however, the donepezil group had greater worsening on the FTD Inventory. Four treated patients had increased disinhibited or compulsive acts, which abated with discontinuation of the medication.
Conclusion:
There were no changes in global cognitive performance or dementia severity; however, a subgroup of patients with FTD can experience worsening of symptoms with donepezil.
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