Aricept

Aricept is a drug treatment for Alzheimer's disease which prevents an enzyme known as acetylcholinesterase from breaking down acetylcholine in the brain.

Increased concentrations of acetylcholine lead to increased communication between nerve cells, which may in turn temporarily improve or stabilise the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Aricept is the trade name for the drug donepezil hydrochloride.

For more details of this and other drug treatments please see Factsheet 407, Drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease