Study for the Rosh Internal Medicine Exam. Experience diverse and comprehensive questions with detailed explanations to solidify your understanding. Ace your examination today!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Which pharmacological treatment is known for its neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer's disease?

  1. Donepezil

  2. Memantine

  3. Selegiline

  4. Vitamin E

The correct answer is: Memantine

Memantine is recognized for its unique neuroprotective effects in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It functions as an NMDA receptor antagonist, which helps regulate glutamate activity in the brain. Excessive glutamate can lead to neurotoxicity and contribute to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. By blocking the NMDA receptors, Memantine helps to prevent overexcitation of neurons, thus offering protection against neurodegeneration and potentially improving cognitive function. In contrast, Donepezil primarily acts as a cholinesterase inhibitor, increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain but does not possess the same level of neuroprotective properties as Memantine. Selegiline is a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, primarily used in Parkinson's disease, and while it may offer some benefits in neuroprotection, it is not specifically indicated for Alzheimer's disease. Vitamin E has been studied for its antioxidant properties, but its effectiveness in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's has not shown strong evidence to support its use as a primary treatment compared to Memantine.