Evaluation of Galantamine in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
1969-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
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.