THE EFFICACY OF CHOLINERGIC DRUGS IN PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE- FOCUS ON THE AMINOACRIDINES

The article reviews evidence for the efficacy of the aminoacridines (t acrine, velnacrine) in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) . The discussion revolves around the question of the clinical relevanc e of the treatment effects observed. Other questions discussed deal wi th the heterogeneity of the patient population having AD, the size of the potential responder group and the limitations caused by safety pro blems of these compounds. The conclusion is that the effects of the am inoacridines appear to have clinical relevance in a subgroup of patien ts with AD. These compounds therefore truly deserve the label of 'firs t-generation AD agents'. But further basic and clinical research is ne eded to identify the responder group and predict response.