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oai:figshare.com:article/32641452 2026-10-01T16:23:21Z portal_1172 item_type_8 month_year_10_2026

Transdermal delivery of donepezil using microneedle technology for the potential treatment of Alzheimer’s disease Zihao Wang (845023) PUREID: 642711206 Alzheimer’s disease donepezil mirconeedles Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects an estimated 57 million people worldwide. Donepezil, a non-polar acetylcholinesterase inhibitor with high oral bioavailability, is a cornerstone of symptomatic AD treatment but can be challenging for patients with swallowing difficulties or high pill burdens. Transdermal delivery offers a promising alternative: in 2022, Adlarity® became the first once-weekly donepezil patch approved, yet its size limits delivery to below the 23 mg oral dose. Microneedle (MN) systems—hydrogel-forming (HMAPs) and dissolving (DMAPs) arrays—combine minimally invasive, pain-free application with efficient drug permeation. This thesis describes the fabrication, characterisation, and evaluation of HMAPs and DMAPs for donepezil hydrochloride (donepezil HCl) delivery. In ex vivo skin permeation and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in Sprague–Dawley rats, both MN platforms successfully delivered donepezil HCl over 48 hr. HMAPs produced sustained release after an initial swelling phase, while DMAPs yielded a rapid burst followed by flip-flop kinetics. Each system elevated plasma drug concentrations, suggesting potential for reduced dosing frequency and improved compliance, without provoking significant skin irritation. These results demonstrate that MN-based transdermal delivery of donepezil HCl is a viable, patient-friendly alternative to oral therapy. By enabling long-acting, controlled dosing, such systems may overcome current formulation limitations and support the broader clinical adoption of advanced transdermal technologies for AD and other neurological disorders.<br><br><i>Thesis is embargoed until 31 July 2030.</i> 2026-10-01T16:23:21Z Text Thesis 10.17034/32641452.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Transdermal_delivery_of_donepezil_using_microneedle_technology_for_the_potential_treatment_of_Alzheimer_s_disease/32641452 All Rights Reserved Open Access after 2030-07-31