Parkinson's gait hope: donepezil shows promise in tiny trial
NCT ID NCT06903910
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This small study tested whether donepezil (Aricept), a drug that boosts the brain chemical acetylcholine, could improve walking and balance in 6 people with Parkinson's disease. Researchers also looked at how brain shrinkage in a key area relates to gait problems. The goal is to find better treatments for disabling walking issues like shuffling and freezing.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Donepezil (Aricept)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a treatment for walking and balance problems in Parkinson's disease.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very small study (6 people) and only looked at short-term effects. Results may not apply to everyone with Parkinson's.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia, 22903, United States
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