Name: AF 102B
Synonyms: cevimeline HCL, Evoxac™
Therapy Type: Small Molecule (timeline)
Target Type: Cholinergic System (timeline)
Condition(s): Alzheimer's Disease
U.S. FDA Status: Alzheimer's Disease (Discontinued)
Company: SnowBrand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Approved for: Treatment of dry mouth in Sjogren's syndrome.
Hypo-activity of the cholinergic system is associated AD and cognitive decline. Two different strategies have been used to increase cholinergic acitvity in the AD brain: 1) acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and 2) direct stimulation of cholinergic receptors. AF-102B activates a subset of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1) which has been shown to benefit cognition in AD patients and to attenuate Aβ and tau pathology in animal models. Drugs that activate M1 receptors have been shown to enhance α-secretase activity in cell culture, and therefore shift APP processing toward the non-amyloidogenic path (Caccamo et al., 2009). AF-102B is an analog of acetylcholine. It activates muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1 subtype) and is thought to stimulate α-secretase activity and thereby lower aβ production.
- Caccamo A, Fisher A, Laferla FM. M1 agonists as a potential disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease. Curr Alzheimer Res. 2009 Apr;6(2):112-7. PubMed.
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