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Donepezil

Phase 2

Alzheimer's Disease | Small molecule | Neurology |Merck & Company, Inc.|Last Updated: Oct 28, 2024

Success Probability

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Trial Design

RandomizedDouble-BlindPLACEBO_CONTROLLED
Total Trials3
Total Enrollment186

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

Donepezil · 3 trials · 2 indications

Phase 2 1Phase 1 2
NCT02064920Computerized Cognition Testing in Participants With Mild Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Treated With Donepezil (MK-0000-318)Alzheimer's Disease
COMPLETED36 Analytics
PHASE2COMPLETED
Computerized Cognition Testing in Participants With Mild Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Treated With Donepezil (MK-0000-318)
Alzheimer's DiseaseUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

One-card Learning (OCL) Measurement Over 12 Weeks of Treatment
Weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16

OCL is one of the Cogstate battery of tests, and is a continuous visual recognition task that assesses visual recognition, memory and attention using a pattern separation algorithm. OCL is a score defined as the arcsine transformation of the square root of the proportion of correct responses to 80 OCL questions. The score ranges from 0 to 1.5708 where a higher score means better performance.

Change From Baseline in Averaged Correct Response Rate on the One Card Learning Task to Week 8
Baseline, Up to Week 8

One Card Learning (OCL) uses a pattern separation paradigm to assess visual memory. The change from baseline of correct responses on the OCL task up to Week 8 is compared in participants receiving donepezil with participants receiving placebo. Change from baseline was the averaged correct response rate at Week 8 minus the correct response rate at baseline.

Change in Mean Computer-based Cognitive Assessment (CogState) Composite Score at Week 4
Baseline and 4 weeks

CogState is a simple, brief computerized neuropsychological battery to evaluate cognitive impairments characterizing mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The composite CogState assesses attention and memory functions - including Verbal episodic memory, Visual Episodic Memory, Psychomotor function, Visual attention and working memory. CogState scores are measured on a linear scale (with no maximum score) and a reduction in scores compared to baseline indicates an improvement in cognitive functions. Reported here is the change in the CogState Composite Score at Week 4 compared to baseline.

Secondary Endpoints

Percentage of Correct Responses in the OCL Task Over 12 Weeks of Treatment
Weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16
Change From Baseline in Standard Deviation for Averaged Correct Response Rate on the OCL Task (Arcsine Square Root Transformed) to Week 8
Baseline, Up to Week 8
Change From Baseline in Averaged Correct Response Rate on the OCL Task to Week 8 in Participants Receiving Donepezil
Baseline, Up to Week 8
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingTRIPLE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeDIAGNOSTIC

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
PlaceboPLACEBO_COMPARATORPlacebo for donepezil hydrochloride capsule administered orally once a day for 16 weeks.
DonepezilEXPERIMENTALDuring the first 4 weeks, participants received placebo for donepezil. Over the following 2 weeks, participants were treated with donepezil at 5 mg per day. Then, over the remaining 10 weeks were titrated to up to 10 mg per day donepezil based on tolerability.
Donepezil 5-10 mgEXPERIMENTALThere will be a 14 day period when all participants will receive placebo, followed by 5 mg donepezil, once daily for 14 days then titrated to 10 mg donepezil once daily for 70 days. Participants may then receive open-label donepezil for an additional 24 weeks.

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
PlaceboDRUGPlacebo for donepezil hydrochloride capsule
DonepezilDRUG5 mg donepezil hydrochloride capsule.
Comparator: Placebo 5mg (run in)DRUGMatching placebo to donepezil - 5 mg capsules orally for 14 day run in prior to randomization.
Donepezil 5 - 10 mgDRUGDonepezil 1 capsule (5 mg) orally, once daily for 14 days. Donepezil 2 capsules (total 10 mg) once daily for 70 days (days 15-84).
Comparator: Placebo 5-10 mgDRUGMatching placebo to donepezil, 1 capsule (5 mg) orally, once daily for 14 days. Matching placebo to donepezil 2 capsules (total 10 mg) once daily for 70 days (days 15-84).
Donepezil 10 mgDRUGDonepezil 2 capsules (total 10 mg) orally, once daily for 24 weeks, from day 85 (optional).
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range55 Years to 85 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo

Inclusion Criteria: * Meets listed criteria for a diagnosis of probable AD * Has a clearly documented history either in medical records or from an informant of cognitive decline over at least 6 months * Has a reliable partner/caregiver who is willing to provide input by participating in assessments...

Countries:United StatesAustralia
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Frequently asked questions about Donepezil

What is Donepezil used for in Alzheimer's Disease?

Donepezil is an investigational small molecule being studied for use in Alzheimer's Disease. It is being evaluated in clinical trials for patients with Alzheimer's Disease, including those with mild cognitive impairment who are at risk for the condition. The drug is not yet approved and remains in clinical development.

What does Donepezil target?

Donepezil is a small molecule being studied for Alzheimer's Disease. Its specific molecular target has not been disclosed in the available clinical trial information. The drug is being evaluated for its effects on cognition in patients with Alzheimer's Disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Who makes Donepezil?

Donepezil is being developed by Merck & Company, Inc., which trades under the ticker MRK. The company is conducting clinical trials to evaluate the drug's effects in patients with Alzheimer's Disease. Merck is responsible for the ongoing research and development of this investigational therapy.

What phase is Donepezil in?

Donepezil is in Phase 2 clinical development for Alzheimer's Disease. It has completed three clinical trials, including a Phase 2 study. The drug remains investigational and has not been approved by regulatory authorities. All completed trials were randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled.

What clinical trials is Donepezil in?

Donepezil has been studied in three completed clinical trials: NCT00777608, a Phase 1 study testing a computerized neuropsychological battery in Alzheimer's patients; NCT02064920, a Phase 2 study of computerized cognition testing in mild Alzheimer's patients; and NCT04730635, a Phase 1 cognition platform study in patients at risk for Alzheimer's Disease.

Is Donepezil the same as Aricept?

Donepezil is the generic name for the drug also known as Aricept. In the clinical trials listed, the drug is referred to as Donepezil. It is being studied by Merck & Company for use in Alzheimer's Disease, though the drug is not yet approved for this indication.