Galantamine is primarily known for its potential to slow cognitive decline. It is used clinically for treating early-stage Alzheimer's disease and memory impairments, although it has had limited success with the more advanced condition of dementia.[6][7][8][9]
It works by increasing the amount of a type of neurotransmitter named acetylcholine by the inhibiting activity of an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase known for breaking down acetylcholine. This elevates and prolongs acetylcholine levels boosting acetylcholine's neuromodulatory functionality, subsequently enhancing functionality of the various cognitions that acetylcholine is involved in, such as memory processing, reasoning, and thinking.[6] Galantamine may cause serious adverse effects, such as stomach bleeding, liver injury or chest pain.[6][8]
Galantamine was isolated for the first time from bulbs of Galanthus nivalis (common snowdrop) in the Soviet Union in the 1940s.[10] The active ingredient was extracted, identified, and studied, in particular in relation to acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-inhibiting properties.[11][12] The first industrial process was developed in 1959.[13][14] However, it was not until the 1990s when full-scale synthesis was upscaled and optimized.[15]
^"Active substance: galantamine"(PDF). List of nationally authorised medicinal products, Human Medicines Evaluation Division. European Medicines Agency. November 12, 2020. Archived(PDF) from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
^ abKalola UK, Nguyen H (March 12, 2023). "Galantamine". StatPearls Publishing, US National Library of Medicine. PMID34662060. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
^Mashkovsky MD, Kruglikova-Lvova RP (1951). "On the pharmacology of the new alkaloid galantamine". Farmakologia Toxicologia. 14: 27–30.
^Heinrich M, Lee Teoh H (June 2004). "Galanthamine from snowdrop--the development of a modern drug against Alzheimer's disease from local Caucasian knowledge". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 92 (2–3): 147–162. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2004.02.012. PMID15137996.