Improvement of Visuo-spatial Function Assessed by Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices in Dementia with Lewy Bodies by Donepezil Treatment

Objective: Donepezil is used to improve cognitive impairment of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Visuo-spatial dysfunction is a well-known symptom of DLB. Non-verbal Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM) were used to assess both visual perception and reasoning ability in DLB subjects treated with donepezil. Methods: Twenty-one DLB patients (mean age, 78.7±4.5 years) were enrolled. RCPM assessment was performed at the time of starting donepezil and within one year after starting donepezil. Results: There were significant improvements of RCPM in the total scores between one year donepezil treatment ( p =0.013), in both Set A score ( p =0.002) and Set AB score ( p =0.015), but trend in the Set B score ( p =0.083). Conclusion: Donepezil is useful for improving visuo-spatial impairment in DLB, but not for problem-solving impairment.