Tacrine

Tacrine is a medication that was used to help improve memory and thinking skills in people with Alzheimer's disease. It works by increasing levels of a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine, which is important for memory and learning. By inhibiting an enzyme that breaks down this chemical, tacrine aims to enhance communication between brain cells. However, its use has decreased because it can cause side effects, especially affecting the liver, and it doesn’t stop the progression of the disease. Nonetheless, it was one of the first drugs approved to treat cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's.