Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 22, 2025

A Computerized Test Battery to Study Pharmacodynamic Effects on the Central Nervous System of Cholinergic Drugs in Early Phase Drug Development
07:02

A Computerized Test Battery to Study Pharmacodynamic Effects on the Central Nervous System of Cholinergic Drugs in Early Phase Drug Development

Published on: February 11, 2019

10.0K

Neuropharmacology of Cevimeline and Muscarinic Drugs-Focus on Cognition and Neurodegeneration

Patrik Oleksak1, Michal Novotny2, Jiri Patocka3,4

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|August 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Cevimeline shows promise for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment by improving cognitive deficits in animal models and potentially reducing amyloid-beta and tau pathologies in patients. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm its efficacy for dementia.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias are currently incurable, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Improving cognitive function, particularly memory loss, is a primary goal in managing early-stage dementia.
  • Targeting the neuromodulator acetylcholine via muscarinic receptors presents a potential therapeutic avenue.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the potential of cevimeline in enhancing cognitive functions for patients with Alzheimer's disease.
  • To explore cevimeline's impact on key pathological markers associated with AD.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature review was conducted using major scientific databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Springer, and Scopus.
  • Studies investigating cevimeline's effects on cognitive function and AD pathology were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Cevimeline demonstrated efficacy in improving experimentally induced cognitive deficits in animal models.
  • The drug showed a positive influence on tau pathology and reduced amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide levels in cerebrospinal fluid of AD patients.

Conclusions:

  • Cevimeline exhibits potential as a therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease, impacting cognitive function and core pathologies.
  • Despite promising preclinical and preliminary findings, FDA approval is pending, and extensive clinical trials are required to validate its use in AD patients.
Keywords:
AF102BAlzheimer diseaseSNI2011cevimelinecholinergic agonistcognitionevoxacmemorymuscarinic receptorsneurodegeneration

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