Cholinergic Agonists and the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Author: MesserJr., W.S.

Source: Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 2, Number 4, 1 April 2002 , pp. 353-358(6)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

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Abstract:

Over the past decade, considerable effort was focused on the development of muscarinic and nicotinic agonists for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The rationale for developing muscarinic agonists was based on the role of acetylcholine in learning and memory function and the consistent neurochemical finding that cholinergic neurons degenerated in Alzheimer's patients. Thus far, the clinical utility of muscarinic agonists remains unproven, yet recent studies suggest that muscarinic agonists might be useful in treating not only memory deficits, but also psychiatric disturbances and some of the underlying causes of Alzheimer's disease, such as the deposition of A bgr

. In addition, nicotinic receptors may play a role in cognitive function and help regulate the toxicity of amyloid precursor protein. Ultimately, cholinergic agonists may prove useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Keywords: alzheimers disase; cholinergic agonists; muscarinic receptors; talsa cl idine; sabcome line; nicotinic receptors

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026024607553

Publication date: 2002-04-01