Alzheimer’s Research News

I just read an interesting paper that claims that amyloid proteins block K+ channels, which might damage nerve cells. What do you think?

Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2006;46:17S-26S
George T. Grossberg, MD, Keith R. Edwards, MD, and Qinying Zhao, PhD

A combination of cholinergic and glutamatergic dysfunction
appears to underlie the symptomatology of Alzheimer’s
disease. Therefore, one hypothesis is that treatment strategies
should address impairments in both systems. Galantamine
is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that, unlike other
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, has a postulated dual mode
of action as a nicotinic receptor modulator. Galantamine
has demonstrated long-term efficacy in improving or maintaining
cognition, functionality, and behavior in patients
with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Memantine,
a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor antagonist,
reduces deterioration in cognition and function in
patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic as well as ongoing
observation studies support the concept of adjunctive therapy
with memantine in patients with advanced moderate
Alzheimer’s disease currently treated with an established
galantamine regimen. The potential to modulate both
acetylcholine and glutamate pathways in Alzheimer’s disease
presents a novel treatment strategy for the management
of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease.

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