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Aricept

Donepezil, marketed under the trade name AriceptĀ® (Eisai), is a centrally acting reversible acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor. Its main therapeutic use is in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease where it is used to increase cortical acetylcholine. It is well absorbed in the gut with an oral bioavailability of 100% and easily crosses the blood-brain barrier. Because it has a half life of about 70 hours, it can be taken once a day. Initial dose is 5 mg per day, which can be increased to 10 mg per day after an adjustment period of at least 4 weeks. more...

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The clinical utility of donepezil is controversial. Presently, there is no proof that use of donepezil or other similar agents alters the course or progression of Alzheimer's disease. However, controlled studies have shown modest benefits in cognition and behavior with this and similar agents. Therefore, many neurologists, psychiatrists, and primary care physicians use donepezil in patients with Alzheimer's disease. As of the 22 March 2005, the UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) withdrew its recommendation for use of the drug for mild-to-moderate AD, on the basis that there is no significant improvement in functional outcome; of quality of life or of behavioral symptoms. However, these data conflict with those of other reports, as is often the case in medicine.

Donepezil is sometimes used in combination with Memantine, a new agent for Alzheimer's disease which is in the same chemical class. The response to both together is superior to either alone.

Donepezil has been tested in other disorders which cause dementia including Lewy body dementia and Vascular dementia, but it is not currently approved for these indications.

Sources

  • Brenner, G. M. (2000). Pharmacology. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 0-7216-7757-6
  • Canadian Pharmacists Association (2000). Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (25th ed.). Toronto, ON: Webcom. ISBN 0-919115-76-4

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Eisai Announces Strategic Alliance With BioArctic Neuroscience To Develop Immunotherapy For Alzheimer's Disease
From JCN Newswires, 8/27/05

Tokyo, Japan, Aug 26, 2005 - (JCN Newswire) - Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, President and CEO: Haruo Naito) and BioArctic Neuroscience Inc. (Headquarter: Uppsala, Sweden, CEO: Par Gellerfors) announced today that on August 24, they signed a strategic alliance agreement to develop an immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease. Based on this agreement, Eisai will obtain first right of refusal for drug candidates developed resulting from the research.

BioArctic Neuroscience Inc. is a biotech company that was established in January, 2003, with the aim of industrial application of Alzheimer's disease research by Prof. Lannfelt, Uppsala University, who is an internationally well-known Alzheimer's disease researcher.

Currently, Prof. Lannfelt's group is conducting basic research to further advance knowledge about the Arctic mutation of A, for immunotherapy in Alzheimer's disease. Arctic mutation of A is a mutation discovered by Prof. Lannfelt in 2001. It causes familial Alzheimer's disease and pathophysiologically shows very similar lesions to those found in non-familial Alzheimer's disease. In this respect, Arctic mutation of Ais expected to be applied to evaluate efficacy in a wide range of Alzheimer's disease treatment. The research will be carried out mainly by BioArctic Neuroscience and Prof. Lannfelt.

Eisai actively puruses alliances with outside organizations in order to expand its product line-up in the neurology arena, one of the company's franchise areas. With the BioArctic Neuroscience agreement, Eisai wishes to gain a new immunotherapy in drug treatment of Alzheimer's disease cut out by Aricept, and lead to a novel, beneficial treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

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Copyright [c] 2005 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network K.K.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Japan Corporate News Network K.K.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

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