Research Progress of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease(AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder,and it is characterized by a neurochemically shortage of cholinergic neurotransmission.Additionally,AChE inhibitors plays a key role not only in improving cholinergic nerve function,but also slowing down the aggregation of β-amyloid and the formation of the neurotoxic fibrils in the brain.AD could be treated by the agents which can increase the level of acetylcholine(ACh) via the inhibiting acetylcholinesterase(AChE).At present,studies of AChE inhibitors are mainly focused on drugs of AChE inhibitors(such as tacrine,donepezil,galantamine,huperzine) and natural products(especially the plant origin and microbialsource),and also their derivatives.