IN BRIEF: Some FDA Approved Alzheimer's Medications Seem More Effective For Women than For Men

Elsevier is about to publish an article that is a little bit troubling: Some individuals with Alzheimer's  are taking cholinesterase inhibitors [7]

" _**Among women**_, a higher PI (i.e., greater duration of use) of cholinesterase inhibitors was associated with **slower progression.**.. In contrast, higher PI was associated with **faster progression in males…**"

The article does not seem to propose an explanation for this strong difference brought about by gender. Esse

So what are cholinesterase inhibitors? To get better understanding we bring you a link [to an article in anesthesiology ][1][2] about a drug of that class, namely Donezepril. Donezepril dilates brain arterioles , bring more blood tto the various brain neurons and their supporting glial cells.

[![][2]][3]

Where did I put my life?

Another drug, Propofol,  used for anesthesia,  also brings brain vasodilatation, for cognition issues brought about by Diabetes and high glucose. [3]. Problem is Propofol has been linked to bring about Alzheimer's . So vasodilatation is probably not the whole story.

Coming back to Alzheimer,  the gender issue it is known to play a role [5], with women more likely to express the symptoms than men  [5]. Moreover a comparative study of curcumin, memantine and diclofenac against scopolamine-induced memory dysfunction had two main conclusions:

1. The preventive activity of curcumin on memory dysfunction was higher than that of diclofenac or memantine
2. _**Gender differences were observed.**_

This gender difference seems to come up often about Alzheimer's

_**Hope this helps,**_

_**Talk to your Doctor**_

[1][ Ministry of health -British Columbia;  cholinesterase inhibitors ; ][4]

[2] [Anesthesiology ; Donezepil ][1]; "Cholinesterase inhibitor **donepezil** dilates cerebral parenchymal arterioles via the activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase." 2008

[3] [Anesthesiology ; "Propofol ][5]restores brain microvascular function impaired by high glucose via the decrease in oxidative stress."; 2008

[4] [Ivanhoe][6] ; "Anesthetics may Increase Risk of Alzheimer's Disease" ; 2006

[5] [MedicalNewsToday][7] ; "Gender may play role in Alzheimer's disease"; 2005

[6] [Fitoterapia][8] ;"Comparative protective action of curcumin, memantine and diclofenac against scopolamine-induced memory dysfunction." ;2011

[[7] Elsevier ][9]; "Effects of Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for Alzheimer's disease on clinical progression", Feb. 2012

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[1]: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18580182
[2]: http://www.medinewsdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Elder_at_window_canstockphoto2548875-e1328231147427.jpg (Elder_at_window_canstockphoto2548875)
[3]: http://www.medinewsdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Elder_at_window_canstockphoto2548875-e1328231147427.jpg
[4]: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/adti/clinician/cholinesterase.html
[5]: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18212572
[6]: http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=14783
[7]: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/27877.php
[8]: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21277954
[9]: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1552526011000951
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