AD Lib

ID: 10362
Title:Do Cholinergic Therapies Have Disease-Modifying Effects in Alzheimer's Disease?
Publication Year: 2006
Format(s): Journal Article , Funded Research
Language(s): English
Audience(s): Physicians , Psychiatrists , Neurologists , Geriatricians
Author(s): Sabbagh, M.N., et al.
Source: Alzheimer's and Dementia. 2(2): 118-125. April 2006.

Abstract: This journal article reviews the evidence suggesting that cholinergic drugs may have disease-modifying effects in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The most widely studied and used therapies for AD are based on improving cholinergic function in the central nervous system. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine have all been approved, and the latter three are widely used for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate AD. Recent research has found that these drugs may act by a variety of other mechanisms, including inhibition of butylcholinesterase, regulation of nicotinic receptors, reduction of amyloid precursor protein and beta-amyloid production, and regulation of tau phosphorylation that may influence disease progression. There is also emerging evidence from clinical trials that the ChEIs may delay cognitive and functional decline. Other cholinergic drugs such as muscarinic agonists have been explored and, while they have not been approved, there is robust preclinical evidence for a beneficial and perhaps disease-modifying effect. The evidence reviewed here suggests that the cholinergic drugs may do more than improve symptoms, they may delay biological progression of the disease. 98 references. (AA-M).

Major Descriptor(s): ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE , CHOLINERGIC-DRUGS , CHOLINESTERASE-INHIBITORS , DRUG-EFFECTS , PHARMACOLOGY , PATHOPHYSIOLOGY , RESEARCH-STUDIES , LITERATURE-REVIEWS
Minor Descriptor(s): DONEPEZIL , RIVASTIGMINE , TACRINE , GALANTAMINE

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