Alzheimer's Disease Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Alzheimer's Disease, including details on diagnosis, memory loss, heredity, treatment, medication.

An update on huperzine A as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Little JT, Walsh S, Aisen PS

Georgetown University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW, Kober-Cogan 604, Washington, DC 20007, USA. jtl106@gunet.georgetown.edu

Huperzine A is a natural cholinesterase inhibitor derived from the Chinese herb Huperzia serrata. There is evidence that huperzine A may compare favorably in symptomatic efficacy to cholinesterase inhibitors in use. In addition, huperzine A has antioxidant and neuroprotective properties that suggest that it may be useful as a disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The drug is available as a nutriceutical in the US. However, there have been no published controlled clinical trials outside China assessing its toxicity and efficacy. This paper reviews the development of huperzine A as a treatment for AD, including the Phase II trial now under way in the US.

Published 30 January 2008 in Expert Opin Investig Drugs, 17(2): 209-15.
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