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Advances in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: Benefits of dual cholinesterase inhibition

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Clive Ballard

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Abstract

Cholinesterase inhibitors have produced the best evidence of clinical efficacy for treating patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Many of these drugs selectively inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), but agents that also target butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) may provide added benefits. As AD progresses, ACh regulation may become increasingly dependent on BuChE and dual inhibitors may provide more sustained efficacy than AChE-selective agents. Dual inhibition may also help to slow the formation of amyloidogenic compounds, providing an important disease-modifying mechanism. Rivastigmine is a dual inhibitor that has demonstrated benefits across the spectrum of AD severity and across the cognitive, functional and behavioural domains of AD. It is a priority for future clinical trials to determine whether agents with dual inhibition properties have greater clinical efficacy. Copyright (C) 2002 S. KargerAG, Basel.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Ballard CG

Publication type: Review

Publication status: Published

Journal: European Neurology

Year: 2002

Volume: 47

Issue: 1

Pages: 64-70

Print publication date: 01/01/2002

ISSN (print): 0014-3022

ISSN (electronic): 1421-9913

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000047952

DOI: 10.1159/000047952

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