Flortaucipir (18F-AV-1451, also known as 18F-T807) is a highly selective positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent targeting paired helical filament (PHF)-tau in the brain. This tracer is studying for clinical assessment in patients with various tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease, as well as in healthy subjects.

Florbetaben F18 is a18F-labeled stilbene derivative used as a tracer for PET imaging of beta-amyloid deposits in the human brain. The F 18 isotope produces a positron signal that is detected by a PET scanner. 3H-florbetaben in vitro binding experiments reveal two binding sites (Kd of 16 nM and 135 nM) in frontal cortex homogenates from patients with AD. Binding of florbetaben F18 to beta-amyloid plaques in post-mortem brain sections from patients with AD using autoradiography correlates with both immunohistochemical and Bielschowsky silver stains. Florbetaben F 18 does not bind to tau or alpha-synuclein in tissue from patients with AD. Neither Neuraceq nor non-radioactive florbetaben F 19 bind to AT8 positive tau deposits in brain tissue from patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), using autoradiography and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

Flutemetamol F 18 is a radioactive molecular agent that is intended for use with PET imaging of the brain in adults being evaluated for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. Flutemetamol F 18 consists of flutemetamol, a thioflavin derivative of Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) labeled with the radioisotope fluorine F18 and it selectively binds to cerebral fibrillar beta-amyloid, a peptide involved in Alzheimer's disease.

Florbetapir (18F) (trade name AMYViD; also known as florbetapir-fluorine-18 or 18F-AV-45) is a PET scanning radiopharmaceutical compound containing the radionuclide fluorine-18, recently FDA approved as a diagnostic tool for Alzheimer's disease. Florbetapir, like Pittsburgh compound B (PiB), binds to beta-amyloid, however fluorine-18 has a half-life of 110 minutes, in contrast to PiB's radioactive half life of 20 minutes. Wong et al. found that the longer life allowed the tracer to accumulate significantly more in the brains of people with AD, particularly in the regions known to be associated with beta-amyloid deposits. A negative Amyvid scan indicates sparse to no neuritic plaques, and is inconsistent with a neuropathological diagnosis of AD at the time of image acquisition; a negative scan result reduces the likelihood that a patient’s cognitive impairment is due to AD. A positive Amyvid scan indicates moderate to frequent amyloid neuritic plaques; neuropathological examination has shown this amount of amyloid neuritic plaque is present in patients with AD, but may also be present in patients with other types of neurologic conditions as well as older people with normal cognition. Amyvidis an adjunct to other diagnostic evaluations

Icosapent is an important polyunsaturated fatty acid found in fish oils. It serves as the precursor for the prostaglandin-3 and thromboxane-3 families. A diet rich in eicosapentaenoic acid lowers serum lipid concentration, reduces incidence of cardiovascular disorders, prevents platelet aggregation, and inhibits arachidonic acid conversion into the thromboxane-2 and prostaglandin-2 families. EPA can be used for lowering elevated triglycerides in those who are hyperglyceridemic. In addition, EPA may play a therapeutic role in patients with cystic fibrosis by reducing disease severity and may play a similar role in type 2 diabetics in slowing the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Galantamine (RAZADYNE®, galantamine hydrobromide) is a benzazepine derived from norbelladine. It is found in Galanthus and other Amaryllidaceae. It is a reversible, competitive acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that is used for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. Although the etiology of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood, it has been reported that acetylcholine-producing neurons degenerate in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The degree of this cholinergic loss has been correlated with degree of cognitive impairment and density of amyloid plaques (a neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease). While the precise mechanism of galantamine’s (RAZADYNE®, galantamine hydrobromide) action is unknown, it is postulated to exert its therapeutic effect by enhancing cholinergic function. This is accomplished by increasing the concentration of acetylcholine through reversible inhibition of its hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase. If this mechanism is correct, galantamine’s (RAZADYNE®, galantamine hydrobromide) effect may lessen as the disease process advances and fewer cholinergic neurons remain functionally intact. There is no evidence that galantamine (RAZADYNE®, galantamine hydrobromide) alters the course of the underlying dementing process.

Rivastigmine (sold under the trade name Exelon) is a parasympathomimetic or cholinergic agent for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type and dementia due to Parkinson's disease. Rivastigmine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, inhibits both butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase (unlike donepezil, which selectively inhibits acetylcholinesterase). It is thought to work by inhibiting these cholinesterase enzymes, which would otherwise break down the brain neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Rivastigmine capsules, liquid solution, and patches are used for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type and for mild to moderate dementia related to Parkinson's disease. Rivastigmine has demonstrated treatment effects on the cognitive (thinking and memory), functional (activities of daily living) and behavioral problems commonly associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease dementia. In people with either type of dementia, rivastigmine has been shown to provide meaningful symptomatic effects that may allow patients to remain independent and ‘be themselves’ for longer. In particular, it appears to show marked treatment effects in patients showing a more aggressive course of the disease, such as those with younger-onset ages, poor nutritional status, or those experiencing symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations. Side effects may include nausea and vomiting, decreased appetite and weight loss.

Donepezil, marketed under the trade name Aricept, is a medication used in the palliative treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Aricept is indicated for the treatment of dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. Efficacy has been demonstrated in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease, as well as in patients with severe Alzheimer’s Disease. Donepezil is postulated to exert its therapeutic effect by enhancing cholinergic function. This is accomplished by increasing the concentration of acetylcholine through reversible inhibition of its hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase. Donepezil has been tested in other cognitive disorders including Lewy body dementia and Vascular dementia, but it is not currently approved for these indications. Donepezil has also been studied in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, post-coronary bypass cognitive impairment, cognitive impairment associated with multiple sclerosis, and Down syndrome.

Trazodone (brand name Oleptro, Desyrel, etc) is a serotonin uptake inhibitor that is used as an antidepressive agent. Trazodone binds to the 5-HT2 receptor, it acts as a serotonin agonist at high doses and a serotonin antagonist at low doses. Like fluoxetine, trazodone's antidepressant activity likely results from blockage of serotonin reuptake by inhibiting serotonin reuptake pump at the presynaptic neuronal membrane. If used for long time periods, postsynaptic neuronal receptor binding sites may also be affected. The sedative effect of trazodone is likely the result of alpha-adrenergic blocking action and modest histamine blockade at the H1 receptor. It weakly blocks presynaptic alpha2-adrenergic receptors and strongly inhibits postsynaptic alpha1 receptors. Trazodone does not affect the reuptake of norepinephrine or dopamine within the CNS. Because of its lack of anticholinergic side effects, trazodone is especially useful in situations in which antimuscarinic effects are particularly problematic (e.g., in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, closed-angle glaucoma, or severe constipation). Trazodone's propensity to cause sedation is a dual-edged sword. For many patients, the relief from agitation, anxiety, and insomnia can be rapid; for other patients, including those individuals with considerable psychomotor retardation and feelings of low energy, therapeutic doses of trazodone may not be tolerable because of sedation. Trazodone elicits orthostatic hypotension in some patients, probably as a consequence of α1-adrenergic receptor blockade. Mania has been observed in association with trazodone treatment, including in patients with bipolar disorder, as well as in patients with previous diagnoses of major depression. Compared to the reversible MAOI antidepressant drug moclobemide, significantly more impairment of vigilance occurs with trazodone.

Methylene blue, also known as methylthioninium chloride, is a medication from WHO's list of essential medicines. Upon administration, methylene blue is converted to leukomethylene blue by erythrocyte methemoblobin reductase in the presence of NADPH. Leukomethylene blue than reduces methemoglobin to oxyhemoglobin, thus restoring oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. Methylene blue is also used as a dye for various diagnostic procedures, for treatment of ifosfamide toxicity and for in vitro staining. Historically, it was used as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy for topical treatment of dermatologic or mucocutaneous infections, as an antidote for cyanide poisoning, but these applications are no longer approved. Methylene blue is investigated in clinical trials for treatment of septic shock and Alzheimer's disease.