APA Dictionary of Psychology

n. an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used as a cognitive enhancer in the management of mild to moderate dementia. By inhibiting the degradation of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, donepezil increases available levels of acetylcholine in the basal nucleus of Meynert, thought to be associated with improved memory and other aspects of cognitive functioning. U.S. trade name: Aricept.