How does Reminyl work?
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter, a brain chemical which carries messages between brain cells. When someone has Alzheimer’s disease, it seems that – among other changes – his or her brain produces less acetylcholine. Normally there is a repeated cycle in the brain in which acetylcholine is made, transmits messages and is then broken down by a special enzyme (acetylcholinesterase). All three drugs currently available for Alzheimer’s disease aim to affect this cycle by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine so that there is more available in the brain to carry messages between the brain cells. Reminyl also affects another part of the cycle, which causes a greater release of acetylcholine. Who might benefit from Reminyl? Reminyl is intended only for people with Alzheimer’s disease, and not for people with other kinds of dementia. It is licensed only for people who are in the mild to moderate stages of the illness. There is some evidence that it might benefit people with mixed dement
