The efficacy of donepezil hydrochloride on memory functioning in three adolescents with severe traumatic brain injury

Objective: To explore efficacy of donepezil on memory in adolescents with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design: Single subject, unblinded, multiple baseline design. Methods and procedures: Memory functioning was examined in three adolescents with TBI on and off medication (5 and 10 mg) using the Selective Reminding Test. Four variables were examined: Total recall (TR) = number of words total words recalled, Long Term Storage (LTS) = words recalled on two trials in a row, Consistency of Long Term Retrieval (CLTR) = words continuously recalled, Delay = number of words recalled after delay. Results: On medication, three out of three participants demonstrated better memory. Two showed greatest improvement on 10 mg. All participants demonstrated improvement in TR and LTS. Two participants demonstrated improved CLTR. No participants displayed improvement in Delay. No adverse side effects were reported. Conclusions: Results suggests that donepezil may be effective in improving memory in adolescents with severe TBI and warrant further examination.