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Second and Third Generation Cholinesterase Inhibitors: From Preclinical Studies to Clinical Efficacy

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Alzheimer Disease

Part of the book series: Advances in Alzheimer Disease Therapy ((AADT))

Abstract

Four main pharmacological effects of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) constitute the theoretical basis for therapy of Alzheimer disease (AD): 1) functional improvement of central cholinergic synapses mediated through muscarinic and nicotinic mechanisms (Summers et al., 1994; Cuadra et al., 1994); 2) protection against neuronal degeneration mediated through nicotinic receptor activation (Janson and Moller, 1993; Sjak-shie et al., 1990); 3) modification of amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing mediated through muscarinic M1 receptor activation (Nitsch et al., 1993; Buxbaum et al., 1992); and 4) regional enhanced synthesis of neurotrophic molecules [nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived nerve factor (BDNF)] via muscarinic receptor stimulation (Lindfors et al., 1992; Berzaghi et al., 1993).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, 62794-9230, USA

    Ezio Giacobini & Gabriel Cuadra

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  1. Ezio Giacobini
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  2. Gabriel Cuadra
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, P.O. Box 19230, 62794-9230, Springfield, IL, USA

    Ezio Giacobini (Chairman of Pharmacology) & Robert E. Becker (Chairman of Psychiatry) (Chairman of Pharmacology) &  (Chairman of Psychiatry)

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© 1994 Birkhäuser Boston

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Giacobini, E., Cuadra, G. (1994). Second and Third Generation Cholinesterase Inhibitors: From Preclinical Studies to Clinical Efficacy. In: Giacobini, E., Becker, R.E. (eds) Alzheimer Disease. Advances in Alzheimer Disease Therapy. Birkhäuser Boston. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8149-9_28

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8149-9_28

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser Boston

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4615-8151-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-8149-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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