DRUGS USED IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE AND NEUROPLASTICITY

Drugs indicated for use in Alzheimer's disease (AD) must clinically im prove the cognitive symptomatology of the disorder, although nonexclus ively. From a neurochemical standpoint, these drugs must oppose the mu ltiple processes recognized as stigmata of AD. In these two ways, so-c alled AD drugs may be considered substances modifying cerebral plastic ity. Long-term evaluation of anticholinesterases and of tacrine, in pa rticular, provides arguments in support of this initially purely biolo gic, theoretical approach. This concept of neuroplasticity applied to dementia may modify the traditional pharmaceutical drug development pr ograms.