Huperzine A For Alzheimer's Disease
    Huperzine A is derived from the common moss, Huperzia serrata. The extract has been used for years in
China to treat fever and inflammation. Huperzine A increases memory and learning
in animals [90] and in humans [91].
Huperzine A potently
inhibits acetylcholinesterase. Huperzine A increases acetylcholine levels in the
brain [92]; as you may be aware, people with alzheimer's disease have low
acetylcholine levels because their disease destroys the cholinergic brain cells
that make and use acetylcholine.
I searched The National Library of Medicine to find
clinical studies of huperzine A. Huperzine A has been studied mostly in China.
Chinese studies show that huperzine A enhances memory in healthy human
volunteers [93]. One clinical study gave alzheimer patients huperzine, 0.2
milligrams (4 tablets) daily. More than 58% of patients showed improvements in
memory and cognition [94].
How does huperzine A work? So
far, research seems to show that huperzine A decreases oxidative stress. Free
radicals cause oxidation of proteins, and this process is inhibited by huperzine
A [95] Huperzine A also protects cultured brain cells from the toxic effects of
amyloid beta protein[96].