acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
- acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
any one of a class of drugs that block the action of acetylcholinesterase (
see cholinesterase), an enzyme that quickly breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is central to the functional interconnection between nerve cells in the outer layer (
cortex) of the brain;
the early impairment of cognitive function found in Alzheimer's disease is associated with a reduction in acetylcholine levels. By inhibiting acetylcholine breakdown, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors have been found helpful in slowing down the rate of cognitive decline in the early stages of the dementia; they do not halt the progress of the disease. The group includes
donepezil (
Aricept),
galantamine (Reminyl),
and rivastigmine (Exelon); these drugs are given by mouth.
Medical dictionary.
2011.
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