Treatment of delirium with donepezil: a double-blind, randomized trial, compared to placebo

• Grant number: 10/10810-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2013
• End date: August 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Mario Rodrigues Louzã Neto
• Grantee: Mario Rodrigues Louzã Neto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Juliano Flávio Rubatino Rodrigues

Abstract

Delirium (acute confusional state) is a disorder that occurs in more than 40% of elderly inpatients in general hospitals and 80% of impatients in intensive care units. It has numerous causes and the longer the duration of the delirium the higher the chance of clinical complications, longterm injuries and death. Its pathofisiology is related to a dysfunction of the cholinergic system. The present double blind, placebo-controlled trial will evaluate the use of donepezil in inpatients in intensive care units. The treatment of the cause of the delirium will occur at the same time and independently of the proposed trial. (AU)