I am a layperson looking for help to understand the biochemistry
effects of Alzheimers and the status of medications in the FDA
pipeline.
I understand that choline acetyltransferase is the enzyme which makes
aceylcholine from choline. However, I am confused as to the enzyme
which breaksdown choline. Is it cholinesterase or
acetylcholinesterase? What is the difference between cholinesterase
and acetylcholinesterase? More to the point, what is the difference
between cholinesterase inhibitors (like Cognex and Aricept) and
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (like Sandoz's Exelon and Bayer's
metrifonate)?
How soon might Exelon and metrifonate be on the retail market? Any
clinical studies which an Alzheimers patient might join?
What is a muscarinic agonist? How soon might SmithKline Beecham's
202026 and milameline from Hoechst Marion Roussel and Warner Lambert be
on the retail market? Any clinical studies which can be joined?