A 72-year-old woman with moderate Alzheimer's disease is started on a cholinesterase inhibitor that also allosterically modulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, enhancing cholinergic transmission through a dual mechanism. Which drug fits this description?
- A Donepezil
- B Galantamine ✓
- C Rivastigmine
- D Memantine
Correct answer: B. Galantamine
Explanation
Galantamine is a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that also acts as an allosteric potentiating ligand at nicotinic receptors, enhancing agonist-evoked responses. Donepezil and rivastigmine inhibit acetylcholinesterase only. Memantine is an NMDA receptor antagonist with no cholinergic activity.
Reference: Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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