The search for better noncholinergic treatment options for Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease is a biological process that involves the disruption of multiple neurochemical pathways. Current treatments for Alzheimer's disease focus on deficits in the cholinergic neurochemical pathway. While newer generation cholinergic agents have a more favorable side effect profile, only a limited, but consistent, degree of efficacy is seen. Treatments are emerging that focus on other areas of neurochemical activity such as oxidative damage, inflammation, glutamatergic neurotransmissions, and serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways. These treatments, supplemented with current cholinergic therapies, may help to ease patients' suffering and caregiver distress.
Mintzer
Jacobo E
JE
Medical University of South Carolina and Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA. mintzerj@musc.edu
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008559:Memantine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010622:Phencyclidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D008559:Memantine; D010622:Phencyclidine; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors