A principle drug prescribed
to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients is
Cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil (Aricept®),
galantamine (Reminyl®), or rivastigmine (Exelon®).
These drugs temporarily boost levels of the messenger
chemical acetylcholine. However, the affects of these
drugs appear helpful only in mild to moderate Alzheimer's
disease leaving moderately-severe to severe patients
without an approved therapy to turn to. For this reason
there is such a clamor about the drug Memantine. Clinical
data show that Memantine, also called Axura®, provides
improvement in the cognitive, psychological, social
and motor impairments of moderately-severe to severe
dementia patients. It exerts a neuroprotective effect
with minimal side-effects and improves cognitions when
beta-amyloid toxicity is present via regulating glutamate
activity on AMPA & NMDA receptors. Recent research
results suggest that memantine can provide additional
benefits to patients already on cholinesterase inhibitor
therapies. Currently, monotherapy and combination therapy
is ongoing in patients with mild-to-moderate and moderate-to-severe
Alzheimer's disease.
Helpful links
http://www.memantine.info/
Alzheimer’s
Association: Fact Sheet
Elder
Care Online
Live
Discussion: Memantine: Implications for Treating Alzheimer's
Posted 2 March 2004.
Steven T. DeKosky and Bengt Winblad led this live
discussion on 10 February 2004. This discussion was
co-organized by the Alzheimer's Association and the
Alzheimer Research Forum.
October 17, 2003
FDA
Approves New Alzheimer's Drug
Associated Press
Alzheimer's
Association: News
September 24, 2003
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION
ENCOURAGED BY
U.S. FDA ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION OF
APPROVAL FOR MEMANTINE. Press release from the Alzheimers
Association.
April 3, 2003
Memantine in Moderate-to-Severe Alzheimer's Disease
Barry Reisberg, M.D., Rachelle Doody, M.D., Ph.D.,
Albrecht Stöffler, M.D., Frederick Schmitt, Ph.D.,
Steven Ferris, Ph.D., Hans Jörg Möbius, M.D.,
Ph.D., for the Memantine Study Group.
New
England Journal of Medicine. Volume 348:1333-1341 April
3, 2003 Number 14
EXPERT
OPINION-DR. CHARLES DECARLI
