Evaluating The Impact Of Donepezil Hydrochloride (Aricept) On Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms In Patients With Severe Alzheimer's Disease

A 12-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase IV study. Approximately 200 subjects will be enrolled, half will receive active drug (donepezil hydrochloride) and half will receive matching placebo at approximately 50 research sites within the US, the European Union, South Africa and Australia. Eligible subjects will reside at home, in an assisted living facility, or nursing homes age and will be 50 years or older, with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in the severe stage. All subjects must start with 5mg a day (one 5 mg tablet of donepezil HCL or matching placebo). Dose will be increased to 10 mg a day (two tablets of 5 mg donepezil HCL or matching placebo) after 4 weeks. Dose may be decreased based on side effects. The primary efficacy measure will be the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD). Secondary measures will include Functional Assessment Staging (FAST), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), NPI-10 (Neuropsychiatric Inventory), DEMQOL Proxy ( Quality of Life). Blood levels of cytokines and safety will also be assessed.