Cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in the elderly

The treatment of Alzheimer's disease is of increasing importance as the population ages and the number of people with the disease increases. The aetiology of Alzheimer's disease is complex and therefore treatment strategies rely on generalised pathological findings. Cholinesterase inhibito...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Drugs & aging 2000-02, Vol.16 (2), p.123-138
Main Authors: VANDENBERG, C. M, KAZMI, Y, JANN, M. W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged - psychology
Alzheimer Disease - drug therapy
Alzheimer Disease - psychology
Biological and medical sciences
Cholinesterase Inhibitors - adverse effects
Cholinesterase Inhibitors - pharmacokinetics
Cholinesterase Inhibitors - therapeutic use
Drug Interactions
Humans
Medical sciences
Miscellaneous
Neuropharmacology
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
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Summary:The treatment of Alzheimer's disease is of increasing importance as the population ages and the number of people with the disease increases. The aetiology of Alzheimer's disease is complex and therefore treatment strategies rely on generalised pathological findings. Cholinesterase inhibitors enhance a generalised deficit of central nervous system acetylcholine and are the first class of agents specifically approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The clinical efficacy of the different cholinesterase inhibitors is similar; however, differences in pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters can influence tolerability and safety in the elderly population. Concomitant disease states, significant drug interactions and the altered kinetics and dynamics seen in elderly patients can also affect treatment outcome. Although cholinesterase inhibitors are not 'curative' for Alzheimer's disease, clinical evidence indicates that these drugs can significantly delay the progress of cognitive impairment. Consequently, they represent a useful treatment for the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in the elderly.
ISSN:1170-229X
1179-1969
DOI:10.2165/00002512-200016020-00004