Potential drug could benefit cognition in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's
Published 18 July 2012
A potential new drug could bring benefits for cognition in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s, research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference suggests.
The drug - an alpha-7 nicotinic agonist - amplifies the effects of acetylcholine, a brain chemical that is essential for normal brain and memory function. It uses a different mechanism to do this than existing treatments such as Aricept, Reminyl and Excelon.
Alzheimer's Society comment:
'Although the evidence suggests this drug could have moderate benefits for some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's there is little to suggest it is any better than existing treatments. That said, after further development, it could prove to be a useful alternative for people who are intolerant to other options. It may also work well in combination.
'However, to say we are close to having a new treatment would be jumping the gun. More research is needed to see whether this drug has significant benefits not only for cognition but also for other symptoms in large groups of people.'
Prof Clive Ballard
Director of Research
Alzheimer's Society
