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Alzheimer’s and Medications used to treat it KATHERINE NOONAN BME 281 What is Alzheimer’s? Brain cells degenerate and die Causes progressive loss of intellectual and social skills and interferes with day to day life Also a steady decline in memory and mental function Normally occurs in older people Caused by beta-amyloid clumps preventing cell to cell communication Caused by tangles of tau protein therefore disrupting the transport system Brief History 1906- German doctor Alois Alzheimer identified the disease 1960’s- link between cognitive decline and the number of plaques and tangles in the brain 1970’s- Alzheimer’s came out as a significant area of research Aricept FDA approved in 1996 Razadyne FDA approved in 2001 Exelon FDA approved in 2000 Namenda FDA approved in October, 2003 Medications Aricept (Donepezil)- Cholinesterase inhibitor, prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain, improves mental function Razadyne (Galantamine)- Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, prevents breakdown of acetylcholine and stimulates nicotinic receptors to release more acetylcholine in the brain, improves memory and thought processes Exelon (Rivastigmine)- Cholinesterase inhinitor, prevents breakdown of acetylcholine and butyrylcholine in the brain improves mental function. Also used to treat dementia in Parkinson’s patients Namenda (Memantine)- NMDA receptor antagonists, protects the brain's nerve cells against excess amounts of glutamate, a messenger chemical released in large amounts by cells damaged by Alzheimer's Limitations There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, these drugs only treat symptoms and help slow the degradation of brain cells Alzheimer’s patients are also instructed to take multiple medications for mood swings, anxiety, depression, etc. Multiple side effects for each drug Future Vaccinations: a new study showed that injecting the patient with beta-amyloid can produce antibodies against the protein reducing the acclamation Inhibiting drugs that prevent an enzyme from producing amyloid protein, called PBT2, without interfering with the enzymes other functions Citations http://www.ahaf.org/alzheimers/about/understandi ng/history.html http://www.ahaf.org/alzheimers/treatment/commo n/ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimersdisease/DS00161/DSECTION=causes Pubmed health: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001006/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001066/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000190/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000250/