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Cholinesterase inhibitors

What are cholinesterase inhibitors for bipolar disorder?

Cholinesterase inhibitors, or anti-cholinesterase, have been proposed as an additional therapy to standard treatments in an attempt to improve functional outcomes and treat symptoms that are not addressed by the other medications. Cholinesterase receptors are known to be involved in cognition, and the use of cholinesterase inhibitors has previously shown some efficacy for improving cognition in Alzheimer’s disease. Aspects of cognition have also been shown to be impaired in bipolar disorder.

What is the evidence for cholinesterase inhibitors?

There is only low quality evidence currently available from small trials that show no consistent improvements in symptoms or cognition in people with bipolar disorder with cholinesterase inhibitors donepezil or galantamine.

November 2021

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Last updated at: 4:34 pm, 29th November 2021
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Title Colour Legend:
Green - Topic summary is available.
Orange - Topic summary is being compiled.
Red - Topic summary has no current systematic review available.