Evaluation of Galantamine in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Galantamine is an experimental drug being evaluated in the United States for the treatment of Alzheimer\'s disease. Results from previous clinical trials suggest that galantamine may improve cognitive performance in individuals with Alzheimer\'s disease. It is not a cure for Alzheimer\'s disease. Nerve cells in the brain responsible for memory and cognitive function communicate using a chemical called acetylcholine. Research has shown that deterioration of cells that produce acetylcholine in the brain affects thought processes. Galantamine is thought to work in two ways to increase the amount of acetylcholine available in the brain. It inhibits an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine and it also stimulates the nicotinic receptors in the brain to release more acetylcholine.