Hearing All About Donepezil: Its Role in the Field of Auditory Processing

TL;DR

This paper explores how donepezil, a drug for dementia, may help with hearing loss and auditory processing by affecting neurological pathways.

Contribution

The paper presents a case suggesting donepezil's potential role in auditory processing through neuro-cortical reorganization.

Findings

A patient with hearing loss and auditory hallucinations showed improvement with donepezil.

Donepezil may influence peripheral pathways related to hearing loss and auditory processing.

The drug's effect on top-down and bottom-up neurological pathways is still being studied.

Abstract

Donepezil is a central-acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor aimed at increasing acetylcholine availability at the neuron synapses to enhance cholinergic transmission. It is often used to assist with cognitive function and is well-known as the first-line treatment for mild to severe dementia of several etiologies. However, its mechanism of action within “top-down” and “bottom-up” neurological pathways continues to be explored. This case reports on a 93-year-old woman in an ambulatory geriatrics clinic with moderate-to-severe dementia. Her significant history of hearing loss with auditory hallucination impressively responded to the initiation of donepezil. There may be potential benefits of donepezil within the peripheral pathways of neuro-cortical reorganization in the field of hearing loss and auditory processing.

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