Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology

  • 11 Accesses

Synonyms

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors; AchEIs; CHEIs; ChEIs

Definition

A class of medications that targets the cholinergic neurotransmitter system and is used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The treatment is based on the observation of a cholinergic deficiency in the condition. Cholinesterase inhibitors (CHEI) block the activity of acetylcholinesterase, the primary enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, allowing the neurotransmitter substance to remain in the synaptic cleft longer in order to stimulate postsynaptic receptors. The oldest CHEI, Tacrine (Cognex), is infrequently prescribed due to its unsafe side effects. Other CHEIs include Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine (Exelon), and Galantamine (Razadyne). The newest addition to the CHEI class is a combination treatment, Namzaric, consisting of donepezil and memantine, the latter being an N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor antagonist. CHEIs are modestly effective in short-term (6–12 months) improvement of...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 899.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 1,099.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References and Readings

  • Orgogozo, J.-M. (2003). Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease with cholinesterase inhibitors. An update on currently used drugs. In K. Iqbal & B. Winblad (Eds.), Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders: Research advances (pp. 663–675). Bucharest: Ana Asian Intl. Acad. of Aging.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rountree, S. D., Atri, A., Lopez, O. L., & Doody, R. S. (2013). Effectiveness of antidementia drugs in delaying Alzheimer’s disease progression. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 9, 338–345.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Small, G., & Bullock, R. (2011). Defining optimal treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer’s disease. Alxheimer’s & Dementia, 7, 177–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA

    Stephanie Behrens & JoAnn Tschanz

  2. Center for Epidemiologic Studies, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA

    JoAnn Tschanz

Authors
  1. Stephanie Behrens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. JoAnn Tschanz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to JoAnn Tschanz .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

    Jeffrey S. Kreutzer

  2. Kessler Foundation, Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ, USA

    John DeLuca

  3. Independent Practice, Wynnewood, PA, USA

    Bruce Caplan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Behrens, S., Tschanz, J. (2018). Cholinesterase Inhibitors. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_493

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation