Drugs for Dementia

Question 1

What type of drug is Memantine?

Answer 1

Glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist (non-competitive).

Question 2

What receptors does Tacrine act upon?

Answer 2

M1, M2, nAChR.

Question 3

What is Tacrine’s mode of action?

Answer 3

Increases ACh release.
Inhibits MAO.
Increases release of NA, 5HT, and DA.

Question 4

What are the side effects for Tacrine?

Answer 4

Nausea, vomiting (increased peripheral ACh levels), hepatic toxicity (life-threatening).

Question 5

What two types of medication are used in the treatment or Alzheimer’s disease?

Answer 5

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and Glutamate NMDA receptor antagonists.

Question 6

What is Donepezil’s mode of action?

Answer 6

Increases ACh release.

Question 7

What is Rivastigmine’s mode of action?

Answer 7

Prevents breakdown of ACh.

Question 8

What is Galantamine’s mode of action?

Answer 8

Stimulates further ACh release.

Question 9

What is Memantine’s mode of action?

Answer 9

Decreases Ca2+ influx, slowing down nerve damage.

Question 10

Which two drugs can also be used for dementia in Parkinson’s?

Answer 10

Rivastigmine and Galantamine.