Description
Alzheimer’s Disease is the commonest cause of dementia affecting older people. One of the key features is the widespread loss of presynaptic cholinergic neurones and decreased levels of choline acetyltransferase which contributes to the cognitive impairment of these patients. So far therapeutic intervention has targeted the cholinergic system, with cholinesterase inhibition the most developed approach.
Tacrine, one of the early acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, was widely used in the USA. There are now several acetylcholiesterase inhibitors licensed in the UK for use in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease: donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine.
This review will focus on their effect on cognition and function.
