Tag: alzheimer’s

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Chemistry in the News Year in Review

The year in chemistry: 2021’s biggest chemistry stories

In 2020, science news was dominated by COVID and vaccine development. In many ways, 2021 has been little different, but away from the virus we’re now overly familiar with there were plenty of other chemistry-related news stories. This graphic highlights a selection of them – see below for more details as well as links to […]

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Biochemistry Medicinal Chemistry

What links snowdrops, Alzheimer’s disease, and chemical warfare?

Infographic on snowdrops, Alzheimer's and chemical warfare. Snowdrops contain poisonous alkaloids which, if they are eaten, can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Falling levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine are associated with Alzheimer's disease. Galantamine stops an enzyme that breaks acetylcholine down. Organophosphate nerve agents target an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine; galantamine can bind reversible to this enzyme, blocking the nerve agents.

  Snowdrops and chemical warfare aren’t two things you’d expect to mention in the same sentence. However, there’s a surprising link between the two thanks to a compound found in these winter flowers. This graphic looks at this compound and how it helps treat both Alzheimer’s disease and nerve agent poisoning.