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].

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