Saccadic Oscillations After Donepezil Administration in Patients with Dementia: Time Course and Clinical Correlates

Donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor widely used in dementia, can be associated with saccadic oscillations (SO), but their time course and clinical relevance are unclear. In this prospective observational study, 18 patients with dementia underwent video-oculography at baseline (V0), one month (V1), and three months (V2) after initiation or dose escalation of donepezil....

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Clinicians performing videonystagmography or oculomotor testing in dementia patients on donepezil should be aware that saccadic oscillations may be drug-induced rather than indicating a new central vestibular or neurological lesion, potentially affecting test interpretation.

Recognizing donepezil-induced oculomotor side effects is clinically relevant for audiologists and balance specialists who may encounter these patients in vestibular assessments, preventing misattribution of findings to structural pathology.

1. 01Donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor for dementia, can cause saccadic oscillations (involuntary eye flickering).
2. 02The study prospectively tracked the time course of these eye movement abnormalities in dementia patients.
3. 03Clinical correlates of the oscillations were examined, potentially linking them to dosage or disease severity.
4. 04Findings are relevant to interpretation of oculomotor tests in any dementia patient on donepezil.
5. 05Prospective design strengthens the observed association between drug use and eye movement changes.

PMID

42776630

DOI

10.3390/jemr19050094.

Journal

Journal of Eye Movement Research

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

2b

Population

Patients with dementia receiving donepezil (a cholinesterase inhibitor)

Intervention

Donepezil (cholinesterase inhibitor) administration