Alzheimer Flashcards
what is the pathology of dementia
neuro fibrollery tangles
beta amyloid plaques
decrease in neuro transmitters, chemicals that facilitates memory
cell death
what is Alzheimer’s disease:
progressive degenerative disorder that gradually
destroys a person’s ability to learn, recall memories, reason, make
judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities
what is the pathology of alzhimer disease
Symptoms correlated with loss of
cholinergic communication
-synaptic dysfunction
-loss of neurons
-decreased ChAT levels in
surviving neurons
slide 6
how does aricept work
Acetylcholinesterase inhibition →decrease breakdown of
acetylcholine → increase communication between neurons
what is. the Pharmacokinetics of aricept
Pharmacokinetics: absorbed well, bioavailability ~ 100%, half-life - 70 h,
metabolism via CYPs 2D6 and 3A4 + glucuronidation, some excreted unchanged
in urine
what are the Adverse effects of aricept
Adverse effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dizziness,
insomnia, tremor, muscle cramps, arrhythmias in patients with heart disease.
how is the glutamate level in the alzhimer disease
increased glutamate in Alzheimer’s disease
how does Aβ (beta-amyloid) works
Aβ (beta-amyloid), main constituent of
amyloid plaques – modulates NMDA activity Aβ-induced synaptic loss inhibited by NMDA antagonists
what is memantine
Memantine = voltage-dependent
non-competitive NMDA antagonist
what is the Pharmacokinetics and side effects of the memantine?
Pharmacokinetics: well absorbed, half-life ~ 70 h, ~ 50 % excreted unchanged
in urine, partially metabolized in the liver (CYP450 independent)
Side effects: constipation, headache, drowsiness, hypertension
what is Aducanumab
Monoclonal antibody (administered IV) directed against the accumulated fibrils of beta-amyloid // reduce progression of the alzhimer disease// does not treat
what is the Nerve growth factor (NGF)
maintains cholinergic neuron health
what is the mechanism of NGF
NGF →↑ ChAT, decrease Aβ and decrease tau phosphorylation
