The primary goal of this study is to evaluate two drugs, vitamin E and donepezil HCl, in preventing the onset of dementia in people with mild cognitive impairment compared to placebo.
Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant and protects cells from certain kinds of damage.
Previous studies in people diagnosed with AD suggests that high doses of vitamin E may slow the progression of the disease and delay the placement of the people in nursing homes. Volunteers for this study should be between the ages of 55 and 90, inclusive, who show signs of mild cognitive impairment which is characterized primarily by recent memory problems. Subjects should be free of most other medical and neurological illnesses and should not be taking medication that affects the central nervous system. Volunteers must also have study partners who are willing to accompany them to clinic visits. This 14-Month long study is sponsored by the University of California, San Diego Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study.