Galantamine inhibits β-amyloid aggregation and cytotoxicity

The ability of galantamine (Reminyl (R)) to inhibit the aggregation and toxicity of the beta-amyloid peptide (A beta) was investigated. Galantamine showed concentration-dependent inhibition of aggregation of both A beta 1-40 and A beta 1-42, as determined by an ELISA method. Electron microscope studies of A beta 1-40 incubated in the presence of galantamine revealed fibrils that were disordered and Clumped in appearance. MTT and lactate dehydrogenase assays, employing SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, showed that galantamine reduced the cytotoxicity induced by A beta 1-40. Galantamine also dramatically reduced A beta 1-40-induced cellular apoptosis in these cells. There is some evidence that galantamine may not be acting Purely as a symptomatic treatment. Disease-modifying effects of the drug could be due to an additional effect on A beta aggregation and/or toxicity. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.