Huperzine A-New Hope for Alzheimer's Patients

Chinese club moss, whose botanical name is huperzia serrata, has been used as a folk remedy for hundreds of years, mainly to treat fevers and inflammation. There's now an extract, called Huperzine A, that's being sold over-the-counter (without a prescription) and used by some people to help improve their memories. And studies done in China have shown it to be effective against some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease.

One of the theories about the pathology (disease process) of Alzheimer's is that there is less acetylcholine in the brain tissue to help nerves transmit impulses. There are synthetic drugs approved by the FDA which increase the amount of acetylcholine by interfering with the enzyme that breaks it down. However, these drugs are very strong and can have dangerous side effects. One of them, tacrine, can be harmful to the liver, so it must be carefully monitored and its doses restricted. Huperzine A seems to have the same action as these other drugs - increasing acetylcholine - but possibly with fewer side effects.

In a research study in China Huperzine A improved the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease in 58% of the participants. Unfortunately, there has been very little research in the United States on its use for Alzheimer's or any other conditions. But it's been so helpful to the people who have taken it that a study is now under way.

This study will take a long time to complete, and then the data must be analyzed. In the meantime, physicians have issued the following cautions for the use of Huperzine A, based on what they currently know about how it works:
- Huperzine A should not be taken by women who are pregnant or nursing, or by children.
- It should also be avoided by anyone with asthma, heartbeat irregularities, or a seizure disorder.
- Levels of Huperzine A seem to build up in the body, which means that the longer it's taken, the higher its levels will be. Since it seems to act just like stronger drugs, there's a potential for the same side effects. Therefore, it's a good idea to stop taking it periodically; in fact, like the stronger synthetics, it may be best to take it only under medical supervision, and for very short periods of time.

The Alzheimer's Association has expressed reservations about the use of any natural supplements, including Huperzine A, mainly because their lack of FDA regulation means that their purity, safety, and effectiveness can't be guaranteed. Also, it warns against combining supplements with prescription drugs. It does agree that Huperzine A has promise and needs to be studied further.

Only time will tell if Huperzine A will be as good a choice for Alzheimer's symptoms as its synthetic counterparts. But the ongoing study shows that there is definite interest in it, and may pave the way for the approved use of natural supplements for other conditions as well.