Donepezil attenuates hippocampal neuronal damage and cognitive deficits after global cerebral ischemia in gerbils

► Memory impairment was improved in ischemia gerbils treated with donepezil. ► Donepezil inhibited neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region in ischemic gerbils. ► Donepezil increased p-CaMKII and p-CREB protein levels in ischemic gerbils.