What condition is primarily treated with donepezil?

Donepezil is primarily used to treat Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurological disorder characterized by cognitive decline, memory loss, and various behavioral changes. It is classified as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, which works by increasing the levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is often deficient in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's. By enhancing cholinergic function, donepezil aims to improve or stabilize cognitive function in patients with mild to moderate stages of the disease.

In contrast, other conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson's disease involve different pathophysiological mechanisms that are not effectively addressed by donepezil. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease primarily affecting motor neurons, MS involves the immune-mediated damage to the central nervous system, and Parkinson's disease is characterized by dopamine deficiency. Each of these disorders requires different therapeutic approaches tailored to their specific neurological challenges, making donepezil unsuitable for their treatment.