Comprehensive List of Alzheimer-Relevant Medications
This area comes from the Alzheimer Research Forum, Many Thanks to them for allowing me to use this in my site!
To find more on these issues, click on their address below!

It is important to note that MOST of these drugs are STILL in the trial stages. Only the top two have been approved by the FDA and are currently in use. Because the rest are still in trials, some mention the word "phase" in relation to how close they are to FDA approval. To give you the most comprehensive understanding of what they are saying I have included a brief summary so you will have an idea of where they are in their studies.

Phase Termonology

Chemical and biological research

Laboratory tests are carried out in tissue cultures and with a variety of small animals to determine the effects of the drug. If the results are promising, the manufacturer will move on to the next step of development.

Pre-clinical development

The drug is given to animals in various amounts and over different periods of time. If it can be shown that the drug causes no harm at the doses needed to have an effect, the manufacturer will move on to clinical trials.

Clinical trials - phase 1

The objectives of phase 1 are to test if the drug is safe for humans. The manufacturer must prepare an Investigational New Drug Submission (IND) for the FDA. This includes the results of the first two steps and a proposal for testing in humans. If the information is sufficient, the FDA grants permission to test the drug on healthy volunteers. This testing can identify common side effects as well as doses that can be tolerated.

Clinical trials - phase 2

Phase 2 trials are carried out on people with Alzheimer Disease, usually with no other medical condition. Again in phase 2, the manufacturer submits an updated IND, which must be approved by HPB before the testing can begin. This phase tests the effectiveness and the safety of the drug. Trials are controlled and carried out by highly qualified investigators with expertise in Alzheimer Disease. Side effects are identified and drug doses are determined.

Clinical trials - phase 3

If the results of phase 2 show promise, the manufacturer again provides an updated IND to the FDA with a description of phase 3. Many more individuals with Alzheimer Disease will be involved, including those who may have other medical conditions or are taking other medications. The objectives of phase 3 include determining if results of phase 2 trials can be repeated and if the drug is safe and effective for those who have other conditions besides Alzheimer Disease. Further information on how the drug is used, the appropriate doses and the possible side effects will also be gathered.

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Additional Places For Research or Drug Study Information

These medications target different features of the Alzheimer's disease clinical picture. This menu is organized according to the clinical symptom that is being treated PRIMARILY (note, for example, that some of the drugs that are shown to improve cognition in some people, such as Tacrine, have also been shown to improve behavioral symptoms). Click on a given medication for a more in-depth description.


Newest Finding Released by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Newest Drug Studies:
This is the latest trial to begin from the NIA/NIH:

I. Cognitive/memory deterioration




II. Behavioral changes/agitation or anxiety

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