Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor SDZ ENA 713 (Rivastigmine) increases brain pyrrolidone carboxyl peptidase activity

Pyroglutamyl-ended torrus of amyloid-beta -peptide are present in senile pl aques in some individuals with Alzheimer type dementia. Single oral adminis tration of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor SDZ ENA 713 (rivastigmine (+) -(S)-N-ethyl-3-[( 1 -dimethylamino)ethyl]N-methylphenylcarbamate hydrogen t artrate) increases basal and K+-stimulated pyrrolidone carboxyl peptidase ( Pcp) activity in mice frontal cortex synaptosomes in a dose-dependent manne r. These results suggest that this drug may ameliorate ATD cognitive defici ts acting not only facilitating cholinergic transmission but also avoiding the formation of pyroglutamyl-ended amyloid-beta -peptides (A beta pE) depo sition through the activation of Pcp. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BY All righ ts reserved.