Which medications are cholinesterase inhibitors used for Alzheimer's disease?

• A. Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine
• B. Memantine, Levodopa, Selegiline
• C. Haloperidol, Risperidone, Quetiapine
• D. Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Citalopram

Answer: (A)

Cholinesterase inhibitors work by boosting acetylcholine in the brain, which is diminished in Alzheimer’s disease, helping to improve memory and other cognitive functions in the early to moderate stages. The medications that fit this category and are used for Alzheimer’s are donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine. They slow the breakdown of acetylcholine, increasing its availability at synapses and supporting cholinergic signaling that’s impaired in Alzheimer’s. Other drugs listed belong to different categories or serve other conditions: memantine is an NMDA receptor antagonist used for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s, not a cholinesterase inhibitor; levodopa and selegiline are used in Parkinson’s disease; haloperidol, risperidone, and quetiapine are antipsychotics; fluoxetine, sertraline, and citalopram are SSRIs for depression.