Drugs for treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease is already an international problem of enormous significance, with an estimated 500,000 sufferers in the UK alone. There are currently four licensed compounds available for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, yet there is still considerable debate over their effectiveness. A variety of anti-dementia agents affecting the various aspects of the disease are in development and the debate will continue over the potential rationing of such treatments in the future. Drugs developed from the cholinergic and glutamatergic hypotheses will be discussed, and a number of other potential treatments aimed at reducing the oxidative stress and inflammatory response associated with dementia will be reviewed. The arrival of these new treatments for Alzheimer's disease has focused attention on the management of dementia in general and has provided the catalyst for the widespread development of memory clinics to enable proper assessment of patients with dementing disorders, providing hope for both patients and carers.
Wilkinson
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Memory Assessment and Research Centre, Moorgreen Hospital, West End, Southampton SO30 3JB, UK.
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005973:Glutamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008559:Memantine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014612:Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014970:Xanthines / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D004967:Estrogens; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D014612:Vaccines; D014970:Xanthines; D005973:Glutamine; C032114:propentofylline; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D008559:Memantine