Molecular and Genetic Medicine

Donepezil for Lewy Body Constipation: A Six-Month Follow-up

Abstract

Lepkowsky CM

In a previous case study, four patients at different stages of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Neurocognitive Disorder with Lewy Bodies (NCDLB) disease progression were treated with Donepezil, with the intention of mitigating Lewy body impairment of the cholinergic pathways in the myenteric plexus, increasing bowel motility, and reducing the symptom of constipation. In all four cases, the use of Donepezil was associated with significant reduction of the symptom of constipation. There was no exacerbation or instigation of other symptoms. The symptom status of the four patients was reviewed six months later. In none of the patients has there been exacerbation of the symptom of constipation, nor emergence of new symptoms. The findings suggest that Donepezil might have long-term efficacy for reducing constipation in patients with PD and NCDLB. Further research is recommended using larger numbers of subjects matched for diagnosis, age, gender, and other variables.