Cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil (Aricept) and rivastigmine (Exelon) are used to treat which disease?

Cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil (Aricept) and rivastigmine (Exelon) are used to treat which disease?

• A. Alzheimer's disease
• B. Parkinson's disease
• C. Epilepsy
• D. Diabetes

Answer: (A)

Cholinesterase inhibitors work by increasing acetylcholine in the brain, counteracting the reduced cholinergic activity seen in Alzheimer's disease. By inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, donepezil and rivastigmine help support memory and cognition, providing symptomatic relief even though they don’t cure the disease. They aren’t the standard treatment for Parkinson’s disease (which centers on dopamine loss), epilepsy (treated with anticonvulsants), or diabetes (managed with glucose-lowering medications).

Cholinesterase inhibitors work by increasing acetylcholine in the brain, counteracting the reduced cholinergic activity seen in Alzheimer's disease. By inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, donepezil and rivastigmine help support memory and cognition, providing symptomatic relief even though they don’t cure the disease. They aren’t the standard treatment for Parkinson’s disease (which centers on dopamine loss), epilepsy (treated with anticonvulsants), or diabetes (managed with glucose-lowering medications).