Aricept

[Guest guest]

Dr. McCandless, , and all:

Our pediatrician has just suggested the use of Aricept for our daughter. He

said that there was a small study of its use in autism and 4 of the 9

participants showed benefit.

Any comments?

Thanks!

Becky

[Guest guest]

Becky: Please read this before you use Aricept (donepezil). Galantamine can be

obtained over the counter, has less side effects, and is considered far more

effective except by the pharmaceutical companies, who make the exact same thing

and call it Reminyl. It comes in 4mg capsules; before Amy Holmes left her

practice, she was recommending it as a real break through for the kids.

However, I have not seen much about it in autism for awhile. It really does

head into the heavy duty drug arena whereas the DAN! doctors try to do as much

as possible with diet and nutrients before we get to that. However, my chief

question is, is it curative, or only to control symptoms (not that we don't

sometimes have to do that to survive!). Before I got into autism, I used

Aricept in Alzheimer patients, and though I'm sure you would use it in very low

amounts, it can have some nasty side effects. Acetyl choline is definitely an

extremely important neurotransmitter in the brain, and this drug affects the

enzyme that destroys it (acetylcholinesterase). If that happens to be the

child's problem, this could probably help. Unfortunately, I know of no way to

test who might benefit. I think I would try giving some phosphatidyl choline or

try DMAE to increase the acetyl choline first before heading into this drug.

Would you mind telling me how the doctor came to this recommendation other than

reading a study? I'd like to find out as much as possible. In fact, my memory

needs some help; I have some on hand and think I'll try it and report back to

you all (if I remember! :~) Thanks! Jaquelyn

GALANTAMINE DELIVERS A DOUBLE WHAMMY TO DEMENTIA

An AChE inhibitor backed by several thousand years of safe use has recently been

found by scientists to be beneficial in treating dementia. Called galantamine,

it is extracted from flowering bulbs such as those of the common snowdrop

(Galanthus nivalis), daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus L.), and spider lily

(Lycoris radiata). Its recorded use dates back to the time of Homer, when it

was administered to restore memory. Both traditional and modern uses also

indicate that galantamine has value for the relief of muscle soreness3 and for

anesthesia.4

Galantamine is different from donepezil and rivastigmine in one very important

way. In addition to boosting acetylcholine levels by inhibiting the action of

acetylcholinesterase, galantamine has the unique ability to increase the

receptiveness of nicotinic receptors to acetylcholine. (Nicotinic receptors are

one of the two major classes of neuronal acetylcholine receptors; the other

class is called muscarinic receptors.) This gives galantamine a major advantage

in combating the impairments caused by a decline in cholinergic function.

GALANTAMINE TURNS BACK THE CLOCK

Research has shown that galantamine's unique " one-two punch " has a profound

effect on cholinergic function. In a new study of 592 patients who had vascular

dementia or vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease, scientists in the United

Kingdom found that, after taking 24 mg per day of galantamine for 12 months, the

396 patients in the treatment group had better cognitive abilities than when

they started the trial.1 The cognitive functions measured were memory,

orientation, reasoning, and language skills.

The 196 patients in the control group were given a placebo for the first six

months and were then switched to galantamine for the last six months. By the end

of the first six months, their cognitive abilities had deteriorated. After

receiving galantamine for the last six months, however, they rebounded and

performed better on the cognitive tests than they had at the beginning of the

study.

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Research has shown that galantamine's unique " one-two punch " has a profound

effect on cholinergic function, which is governed by the vital neurotransmitter

acetylcholine.

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These results indicate that we may have underestimated the brain's regenerative

capabilities. If we give our brains the right nutrients, it appears that we may

be able to slow or even reverse the course of cognitive decline due to dementia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We may have underestimated the brain's regenerative capabilities.

With the right nutrients, we may be able to slow or even reverse

the course of cognitive decline due to dementia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also measured in this study were the patients' ability to perform routine daily

tasks, such as bathing, dressing, and housework. Over the 12-month period,

patients in both the treatment group and the control group experienced

deterioration in these functions. The decline in the control group, however, was

more than twice as great as that in the treatment group. It is reasonable to

suppose that the control group's decline would have been greater still, had they

not been taking galantamine for the last six months of the study.

GALANTAMINE SAVES MORE THAN MONEY

Besides the broad spectrum of side effects of donepezil (ARICEPT) and

rivastigmine, one of the major drawbacks of these drugs is the relatively short

duration of their effectiveness. Although they do boost acetylcholine levels,

they become less effective the longer they're used. After about one year, the

nicotinic receptors have become desensitized to ACh and no longer respond well

to it. When that happens, the patient is almost back to square one, and dementia

tends to accelerate.

Unlike the prescription drugs, galantamine appears to have no limit on its

ability to maintain the sensitivity of nicotinic receptors to ACh. Since the

receptors continue to respond to ACh indefinitely, galantamine may help slow the

progression of the dementia - with important financial as well as health

consequences. According to a study conducted by the independent consulting firm

Caro Research, galantamine treatment could save $3000 annually per patient

compared to those receiving no treatment, owing to the diminished need for paid

help.5 As a bonus, the patient's improved condition (relatively speaking) would

surely lighten the emotional burden on caregivers.

GALANTAMINE WORKS BETTER WITH CHOLINE AND VITAMIN B5

Since galantamine is a plant-based nutrient, it does not bring with it the usual

baggage of unpleasant side effects that accompany donepezil and rivastigmine.

Actually, galantamine's adverse effects are almost nonexistent, the worst being

mild gastrointestinal problems.6 Research indicates that starting with 8 mg/day

of (MUCH LESS FOR OUR KIDS!) galantamine and building up to 16 mg/day after four

weeks will minimize these problems.

Summary of Galantamine's Advantages

Over Prescription Drugs

It is increasingly apparent from the scientific literature on the

treatment of dementias with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors that galantamine is

the safest and most effective of these agents. Because galantamine is so

beneficial in both vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease, it stands to

reason that it should also help alleviate the far less severe symptoms of

age-related cognitive decline (ARCD), the gradual dulling of our mental

faculties as we grow older. The main advantages of galantamine over prescription

drugs are:

a.. Galantamine stimulates the nicotinic receptors in the brain's

cholinergic system, thereby enhancing cholinergic function. Donepezil and

rivastigmine do not.

b.. Galantamine has no known limit on the duration of its effective use,

as it does not appear to cause desensitization of nicotinic receptors. Donepezil

and rivastigmine are effective for about one year.

c.. Galantamine has few and mild side effects, whereas the common side

effects of donepezil and rivastigmine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,

headache, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, insomnia, flushing, hot flashes, skin

rash, and tremor.

d.. Galantamine is available without prescription whereas donepezil and

rivastigmine are available only by prescription.

The advantages of galantamine over the prescription drugs can be augmented by

adding two other nutrients that help boost cholinergic function: choline and

vitamin B5. Choline is a chemical precursor to acetylcholine, and vitamin B5,

better known as pantothenic acid, is an essential cofactor for choline.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG VS. DIETARY SUPPLEMENT FORMS OF GALANTAMINE

The Belgian drug company Janssen Pharmaceutica received FDA approval in February

2001 for its drug Reminyl®, which contains galantamine but not choline or

vitamin B5. Because Reminyl lacks these two ingredients, it may not be able to

achieve the full potential of galantamine. Janssen has opted to market Reminyl

as a prescription drug, which has shot the price into orbit and made it

inaccessible except to patients who are under a doctor's care.

Galantamine may optimize cholinergic function by maintaining ACh levels (through

ACh production and AChE inhibition) and the sensitivity of nicotinic receptors.

Galantamine is available without prescription to those who feel they might

benefit from cholinergic stimulation. Because galantamine is not a drug and

does not require FDA approval, the cost is much lower - about one-third that of

Reminyl, in fact.

THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF GALANTAMINE GOES A LONG WAY

The effective serving size of galantamine is not the same for everyone. Some

people may find that two capsules (16 mg) per day are sufficient to regain lost

cognitive abilities, whereas others may need three capsules (24 mg) per day. If

you encounter any gastric disturbance, reducing the amount taken for a few days

will usually clear it up.

Galantamine can do everything for you that the prescription drugs can do - and

more - and you won't have to suffer with side effects.

References www.AlzheimersTreatments.com

1.. Woodman R, Kmietowicz Z. Galantamine shows further promise in treating

Aricept

Dr. McCandless, , and all:

Our pediatrician has just suggested the use of Aricept for our daughter. He

said that there was a small study of its use in autism and 4 of the 9

participants showed benefit.

Any comments?

Thanks!

Becky

[Guest guest]

It was Dr. Chez who did the study. I'm trying to find it in my files.

Aricept

Dr. McCandless, , and all:

Our pediatrician has just suggested the use of Aricept for our daughter.

He said that there was a small study of its use in autism and 4 of the 9

participants showed benefit.

Any comments?

Thanks!

Becky

[Guest guest]

Thank you Dr. McCandless! I REALLY appreciate your feedback. Basically, our

doctor wants to see if this will increase language. He told me that he's heard

that it's really helped language and cognition. He has seen one child, whose

mother claimed it really helped. I do know that University of Pittsburg is

working on a study. The completed study I see on the internet concerning autism

was done by Dr. Chez (I don't know if this is the study our doctor's quoting or

not).

In reading about an Alzheimer's study, it seemed as if the effects weren't

lasting. I suppose they had to continue the med?

I honestly don't have peace about starting this, yet. Also, some of the side

effects concern g.i. symptoms, and I DON'T want to go there!! Her stomach's

doing so much better. I'll read up on galantamine and be sure to give him this

information.

Thanks!!!

Becky

Aricept

Dr. McCandless, , and all:

Our pediatrician has just suggested the use of Aricept for our daughter. He

said that there was a small study of its use in autism and 4 of the 9

participants showed benefit.

Any comments?

Thanks!

Becky

[Guest guest]

This is very similar but actually improved from its prescription form to the

nutrient Galantamine, which can be purchased over the internet I have tried

this on several children in the 4mg dosage but have not been overly impressed

with any benefit so far. However, one problem with me is that I do so many

different things that it is difficult to tell sometimes what is working unless

it's dramatic. However, I do add something new like this after other nutrients

have all been stabilized, so I can tell if it has a negative reaction. I take

it myself for anti-aging purposes and it has no side effects for me (I'm pretty

sensitive) that I can tell. My use so far in kids is in far too small a number

to have any significant data to report. My intuition (and I use that a lot in

my work) is that it will help lower functioning children better and is quite

safe. Dr. JM

. aricept

has anyone used this and if so what results have you seen? thanks

Many frequently asked questions and answers can be found at

<http://www.autism-rxguidebook.com/forums>

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[Guest guest]

>

> This is very similar but actually improved from its

prescription form to the nutrient Galantamine, which can be purchased

over the internet I have tried this on several children in the 4mg

dosage but have not been overly impressed with any benefit so far.

However, one problem with me is that I do so many different things

that it is difficult to tell sometimes what is working unless it's

dramatic. However, I do add something new like this after other

nutrients have all been stabilized, so I can tell if it has a

negative reaction. I take it myself for anti-aging purposes and it

has no side effects for me (I'm pretty sensitive) that I can tell.

My use so far in kids is in far too small a number to have any

significant data to report. My intuition (and I use that a lot in my

work) is that it will help lower functioning children better and is

quite safe. Dr. JM

> . aricept

>

>

> has anyone used this and if so what results have you seen?

thanks

>

>

>

> Many frequently asked questions and answers can be found at

<http://www.autism-rxguidebook.com/forums>

>

>

>

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