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[P2–477]: DONEPEZIL MODULATES PERCEPTUAL LEARNING IN ALZHEIMER's DISEASE
Author(s) -
Hardy Chris JD.,
Hwang Yun T.,
Marshall Charles R.,
Bond Rebecca L.,
Ridha Basil H.,
Crutch Sebastian J.,
Rossor Martin N.,
Warren Jason D.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.06.1134
Subject(s) - donepezil , perception , psychology , neuroscience , perceptual learning , disease , medicine , cognitive psychology , dementia
Background: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are the mostcommonly prescribed medications for AD, but little information is currently available concerning the impact of these drugs on cognitive domains beyond memory. On neurobiological grounds, one might anticipate a modulatory effect on perceptual learning processes but this has not been established in AD. Herewe explored the effect of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on perceptual learning processes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods:We assessed the effect of cholinesterase inhibition on auditory perceptual learning using the paradigm of sinewave speech a classical technique for degrading speech signals (removing spectral detail from speech sounds) that is rapidly and spontaneously compensated by the healthy brain. In a cohort of 15 patients with typical AD, we assessed comprehension of sinewave speech (three digit numbers) preand posta single 10mg dose of donepezil, referenced to repeat sessions in a healthy control group who did not receive donepezil. Results:The healthy control group showed evidence of rapid perceptual learning of sinewave speech across experimental sessions. The