Effect of Donepezil on the Reorganization of Cognitive Neural Network in Patients With Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of donepezil on the recovery of cognitive function in patients with stroke and to delineate the neurophysiologic mechanisms of the therapeutic effect of donepezil on the recovery of cognitive network using functional neuroimaging technique.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ischemic stroke in the territory of right or left middle cerebral artery
• Post-onset duration of the recent-onset stroke is over 3 months
• Cognitive deficit ranged from 10 to 26 by minimal mental status examination (MMSE) score
• Disturbance in activities of daily living (ADL) ranged 0.5 ~ 2.0 by clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe internal carotid artery stenosis on the lesion side
• Cardiac pacemaker or intracranial metal insertion
• Post-stroke seizure disorder or any evidence of epileptic spikes on electroencephalography (EEG)