Drug 'may aid head injury patients'

An Alzheimer's drug could also help prevent mental impairment in victims of traumatic head injury, research has shown.

Donepezil, sold under the brand name Aricept, works by increasing levels of a brain chemical linked to memory. It was developed to treat Alzheimer's disease, a progressive form of dementia which causes memory and attention loss, mainly in the elderly.

Dr Simone Carter, senior clinical neuropsychologist at the National Rehabilitation Hospital near Dublin, who led the research, said traumatic head injuries often caused symptoms that mirrored those of Alzheimer's.

Source - Press Association

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