Improving Memory in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from cognitive and other brain problems. This study will examine the effectiveness of the drug donepezil and of sugar water for enhancing memory in individuals with MS. Donepezil (also known as Aricept) has been FDA approved for improving memory and learning in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

Detailed Description
-----------------
Cognitive dysfunction is one of the leading causes of disability in people with MS. Memory involving specific words (verbal memory) is particularly affected in individuals with MS. Attempts to rehabilitate cognitive dysfunction in MS have had only limited success. This study will determine the efficacy of donepezil therapy and glucose administration for enhancing verbal memory functioning in individuals with MS. The study will also measure secondary outcomes assessing other areas of cognitive dysfunction (i.e., nonverbal memory, conceptual thinking, processing speed) which may improve with intervention. Forty participants with MS will be randomly assigned to receive either donepezil or placebo for 24 weeks. Participants will complete memory and cognitive tests at the beginning and end of the 24 week period. Twenty participants with MS will be randomly assigned to drink a beverage sweetened with either glucose or saccharin (placebo). Participants will then complete memory and other cognitive tests. Two weeks later, participants will drink a beverage sweetened with the alternative sweetener and again complete the memory and cognitive tests.

Official Title
-----------------
Interventions to Improve Memory in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Conditions
-----------------
Multiple Sclerosis

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Drug: donepezil
* Drug: glucose


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria MS as defined by the Poser criteria Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 0 to 6.5 Stable neurologic function for at least 30 days prior to study entry Agree to continue all current medications for study duration Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test score in low normal range or below Mini-mental status exam score of 26 or higher Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale scaled score of 14 or lower Fluent in English Exclusion Criteria Use of anticholinergic or benzodiazepine medication Change in dosage of medications judged to have the potential to impact cognitive function (e.g., antispasticity medications) within 2 weeks of study entry Current alcohol or substance abuse History of neurological or major medical problem that has a known effect on cognitive functioning History of noncompliance Visual or upper extremity impairment which precludes ability to participate in cognitive assessment

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 56 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Drug: donepezil|nan|
|Drug: glucose|nan|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
Multiple Sclerosis, Cognitive Dysfunction, Treatment Interventions, Verbal memory deficits