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CNBC Stock Blog: On Monday, hospitality analyst Jake Fuller panned which casino stock?

2008-07-08T15:13:00.000-04:00

EF Hutton: Final CNBC Bonus Bucks Answers for Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Caregiver Handout

2008-06-25T23:08:00.003-04:00

I found this very informative, uplifting and valuable handout for caregivers on the Indiana University Center for Aging Research website. The opening page is titled Alzheimer Disease Behavioral Symptoms Protocols. On the right hand side of the page you will see a link entitled Caregiver Handouts. If you prefer you can get to the PDF by clicking on this link, Caregiver Handout.

Please pass this information and link on to others.

In May, Warren Buffett told a Madrid audience what his "three bedrock ideas" are. Which did he mention first?

2008-06-13T11:26:00.000-04:00

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CNBC Stock Blog: Thomas Winmill likes miner Freeport McMoRan for a "special reason." What special reason?

2008-06-04T09:36:00.000-04:00

The New Paradigm for Financial Markets: The Credit Crash of 2008 and What It Means

On Friday, Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveris said Dow uses how much of the U.S.' electricity to make its products?

2008-06-02T08:03:00.000-04:00

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Squawk Box
On Friday, Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveris said Dow uses how much of the U.S.' electricity to make its products? Answer: one percent

According to "SUVs And What They're Worth," first-quarter new SUV sales

2008-05-23T11:33:00.000-04:00

The Call

According to "SUVs And What They're Worth," first-quarter new SUV sales Answers:

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According to "SUVs And What They're Worth," first-quarter new SUV sales

What did Goldman Sachs' Abby Joseph Cohen call a "pretty good hedge against inflation"?

2008-05-22T09:30:00.000-04:00

Squawk on the Street

What did Goldman Sachs' Abby Joseph Cohen call a "pretty good hedge against inflation"? Answer: Equities in general

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Abby Joseph Cohen Sees Interest Rates Rising

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What did Goldman Sachs' Abby Joseph Cohen call a "pretty good hedge against inflation"?

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On Tuesday, Jim Cramer said it was "time to ring the register" and sell. But what railroad stock was he BULLISH on?

2008-05-21T09:26:00.000-04:00

EF Hutton: On Tuesday, Jim Cramer said it was "time to ring the register" and sell. But what railroad stock was he BULLISH on?

"Two Way Street" blog got its name from a presumably loyal reader. Who?

2008-05-19T11:10:00.000-04:00

The Call Question # 3

On May 16, CNBC.com's "Two Way Street" blog got its name from a presumably loyal reader. Who?Answer: John Ware

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The geothermal industry is molten! But there are only 2 pure plays trading on U.S. exchanges. Name one.

2008-05-16T10:19:00.000-04:00

EF Hutton: The geothermal industry is molten! But there are only 2 pure plays trading on U.S. exchanges. Name one.

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EF Hutton: CNBC Bonus Bucks Answers for Tuesday, May 13, 2008

2008-05-13T10:27:00.000-04:00

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EF Hutton: Final CNBC Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge Bonus Bucks Answers for Monday May 12

2008-05-12T16:12:00.000-04:00

EF Hutton: Final CNBC Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge Bonus Bucks Answers for Monday May 12

Novartis' skin patch for Alzheimer's approved by FDA

2007-07-11T19:11:00.000-04:00

Once-daily skin patch offers novel approach to treating mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, providing smooth and continuous delivery of drug over 24 hours.

Exelon Patch preferred by caregivers in a study because it helps manage patient care and gives visual reassurance that medication has been administered.

Exelon Patch minimizes gastrointestinal side effects seen with oral form of drug.

Taken directly from the Novartis Press Release

Exelon®Patch, the first and only skin patch for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, receives first worldwide approval in US

Once-daily skin patch offers novel approach to treating mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, providing smooth and continuous delivery of drug over 24 hours
Similar efficacy to highest doses of Exelon capsules with significant improvement in memory and ability to perform everyday activities compared to placebo
Exelon Patch preferred by caregivers in a study because it helps manage patient care and gives visual reassurance that medication has been administered
Exelon Patch minimizes gastrointestinal side effects seen with oral form of drug

Basel, July 9, 2007 - Exelon®Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) has received its first worldwide approval in the United States as an innovative way to deliver an effective medicine for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease patients through a skin patch instead of an oral capsule.

This new therapy is the first and only transdermal treatment for this degenerative condition affecting millions of people in the US. Exelon Patch offers effective treatment based on placebo-controlled clinical trial results showing significant benefits to patients in terms of their memory and ability to perform everyday tasks as well as helping their overall functioning.

Exelon Patch maintains steady drug levels in the bloodstream, improving tolerability and allowing a higher proportion of patients to receive therapeutic doses of medication, with potential improvements in efficacy. It is applied to the back, chest or upper arm, and provides smooth and continuous delivery of medication through the skin over 24 hours.

Gastrointestinal side effects are commonly seen with this class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors. The target dose of Exelon Patch greatly reduces these side effects, with three times fewer reports of nausea and vomiting than with the capsule form of the drug.

"Exelon Patch represents a significant advance in the treatment of this debilitating disease," said George Grossberg, MD, at St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. "The unique delivery system helps both the patient and the caregiver by providing a much easier way to manage their therapy. The patch provides a visual reassurance for the caregiver that the patient is receiving their medication and helps the patient stay engaged in the activities of daily living."

Exelon Patch is expected to be available in US pharmacies soon. The medication was submitted for review in the European Union in late 2006.

The patch was designed with compliance in mind, and was preferred to capsules by more than 70% of caregivers as a method of drug delivery according to clinical study data, because it helped them follow the treatment schedule, interfered less with their daily life and was easier to use overall than the oral medication.

The approval of Exelon Patch is based on results from the international IDEAL (Investigation of Transdermal Exelon in ALzheimer's disease) clinical trial, involving nearly 1,200 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Exelon Patch showed similar efficacy to the highest doses of Exelon capsules1 and the target dose (9.5 mg/24 hours) was well tolerated by patients.

"Innovation isn't just about developing new compounds, but also about meeting therapeutic needs by taking existing knowledge and applying it in new ways," said James Shannon, MD, Global Head of Development at Novartis Pharma AG. "Exelon Patch addresses an important medical need by delivering a proven drug in an entirely new form that meets the needs of patients and their caregivers."

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that alters the brain, causing impaired memory, thinking and behavior. Approximately 18 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's disease. In the US, more than five million people suffer from Alzheimer's disease and almost 10 million people provide care for someone living with dementia, most of which is related to Alzheimer's disease. By 2030, the number of people in the US who are age 65 and over with Alzheimer's disease is estimated to reach 7.7 million, more than 50% more than current levels.

The FDA also approved the use of Exelon Patch in treating patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease dementia. Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive neurological condition that affects approximately 1.5 million people in the US. Parkinson's disease dementia is a distinct and common disorder, one characterized by impairments in executive function, memory retrieval, and attention, in patients with an established diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Two of five people with Parkinson's disease are estimated to have Parkinson's disease dementia.

Disclaimer
The foregoing press release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by forward-looking terminology, such as "expected to be", or implied statements regarding potential future revenues from the Exelon Patch. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that Exelon Patch will reach any particular sales levels. In particular, management's expectation regarding the commercial success of Exelon Patch could be affected by among other things, uncertainties relating to product development, regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally, the ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection and competition in general, as well as factors discussed in the Form 20F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis
Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) is a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure disease and improve well-being. Our goal is to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the quality of life. We are strengthening our medicine-based portfolio, which is focused on strategic growth platforms in innovation-driven pharmaceuticals, high-quality and low-cost generics, human vaccines and leading self-medication OTC brands. Novartis is the only company with leadership positions in these areas. In 2006, the Group's businesses achieved net sales of USD 37.0 billion and net income of USD 7.2 billion. Approximately USD 5.4 billion was invested in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 100,000 associates and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

# # #

Novartis Media Relations

Corinne Hoff
Novartis Global Media Relations
+41 61 324 9577 (direct)
+41 79 248 5717 (mobile)
corinne.hoff@novartis.com Christine Cascio
Novartis Pharma Communications
+1 862 778 8026 (direct)
+1 917 449 9982 (mobile)
christine.cascio@novartis.com

The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers: Looking After Yourself and Your Family While Helping an Aging Parent

alzheimer's disease, caregiver, Exelon Patch, family caregiver, novartis, skin patch, worldwide approval

Will Friday’s Close Spell Doomsday for Stocks?

2007-06-07T20:24:00.000-04:00

On Friday we could see a rare occurrence in stocks, a fourth day down right after a new high in a long term move. Why is this important?

Will Friday’s Close Spell Doomsday for Stocks?

Case-Shiller Home Price Index

2007-05-11T11:06:00.000-04:00

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Case-Shiller Home Price Index

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Case-Shiller Home Price Index

According to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index, home prices in Seattle are up how much from a year ago?

According to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index, home prices in Seattle are up how much from a year ago?

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CNBC Portfolio Challenge Bonus Bucks Answers for Wednesday

2007-05-02T12:37:00.000-04:00

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Blockbuster sold its UK video game retailer, Game Station, for how much?

The Royal Bank of Australia has decided to keep interest rates on hold at what percent?
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EF Hutton: According to the latest NBC/WSJ poll, what percentage of Americans believe the nation is headed in the right direction?

2007-04-26T11:09:00.000-04:00

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According to the latest NBC/WSJ poll, what percentage of Americans believe the nation is headed in the right direction?

Dow Chemical reported in line Q1 earnings today. What were earnings per share?

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"According to the latest NBC/WSJ poll, what percentage of Americans believe the nation is headed in the right direction?"

CNBC Portfolio Challenge Bonus Bucks Answers

2007-04-20T10:47:00.000-04:00

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Google reported that it's quaterly net profit rose how much?

Shareholders of Firstgroup will meet today to close a 1.8B pound takeover deal of what major U.S. services company?

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Robert T DeMarco Weblog: CNBC Portfolio Challenge Bonus Bucks Answers

2007-04-18T11:38:00.000-04:00

CNBC Portfolio Challenge Bonus Bucks Answers for Wednesday, April 18, 2007 and CNBC Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, borrowing costs on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged how much last week?

The European Patent Forum kicks off today in which major European city?

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CNBC Portfolio Challenge Bonus Bucks Answers

2007-04-12T11:16:00.000-04:00

CNBC Portfolio Challenge Bonus Bucks Answers for Thursday, April 12, 2007 and CNBC Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge

How much is Nestle paying Novartis for baby food giant Gerber?
Which of the following is NOT a feature of a new $350 million complex being built in Dubai?
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CNBC Portfolio Challenge Bonus Bucks Answers

2007-04-09T10:42:00.000-04:00

CNBC Portfolio Challenge Bonus Bucks Answers for Monday, April 9, 2007 and CNBC Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge

The largest U.S union federation, AFL-CIO, is targeting which company in a campaign against executive pay?

Citigroup purchased Taiwan's Bank of Overseas Chinese in its third Asian purchase in recent months. How much did they pay?
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CNBC Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge

2007-04-03T11:50:00.000-04:00

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South Korea sold roughly how many cars in the United States in 2006?
Which airline was ranked #1 in the 2007 Airline Quality Ranking Survey?
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CNBC Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge

2007-03-30T12:42:00.000-04:00

CNBC Portfolio Challenge Bonus Bucks Answers for Friday, March 30, 2007 and CNBC Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge

How many new stores did Home Depot open in the U.S. in 2006?
The FDA-approved drug Provenge is used to fight what disease?

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Stagflation on the Horizon?

2007-03-30T09:21:00.000-04:00

You can read this at theRobert T DeMarco Weblog: Stagflation on the Horizon?

CNBC Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge

2007-03-29T12:02:00.000-04:00

CNBC Portfolio Challenge Bonus Bucks Answers for Thursday, March 29, 2007 and CNBC Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge

Starbucks is teaming up with AmRest restaurant group to expand into what country?

Citrus farmers are having a comeback year. Which is the largest grapefruit shipper in Florida?

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CNBC Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge

2007-03-28T12:08:00.000-04:00

CNBC Portfolio Challenge Bonus Bucks Answers for Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Which of the following is NOT a new feature of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Elite?

Which luxury retailer plans to expand into the Middle East?

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CNBC Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge

2007-03-19T10:12:00.000-04:00

All American Investor: CNBC Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge

Robert T DeMarco Weblog: Ethanol inflames grain market

2007-01-15T16:29:00.000-05:00

Robert T DeMarco Weblog: Ethanol inflames grain market

Robert T DeMarco

2006-12-23T14:14:00.001-05:00

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The CareGiver: Huperzine A Factsheet (Alzheimer's)

2006-11-18T15:44:00.000-05:00

The CareGiver: Huperzine A Factsheet (Alzheimer's)

I recently read about Huperzine A. The following page contains a fact sheet about the herb. Huperzine A may have cognition-enhancing activity in some.

Source Huperzine A

TRADE NAMES

Huperzine A is available from numerous manufacturers generically. Branded products include Memorall (PharmAssure), Huperzine Rx-Brain (Nature's Plus).

DESCRIPTION

Huperzine A is a plant alkaloid derived from the Chinese club moss plant, Huperzia serrata, which is a member of the Lycopodium species. Huperzia serrata has been used in Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of fevers and inflammation.

Huperzine A has been found to have acetylcholinesterase activity. Huperzine B, also derived from Huperzia serrata, is a much less potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Natural huperzine A is a chiral molecule also called L-huperzine A or (-)-huperzine A. Synthetic huperzine A is a racemic mixture called (±)-huperzine A. Huperzine A is also known as HUP, hup A and selagine. In Chinese medicine, the extract of Huperzia serrata is known as Chien Tseng Ta and shuangyiping. Huperzine A derivatives are being developed for pharmaceutical application.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY ACTIONS

Huperzine A may have cognition-enhancing activity in some.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with neuritic plaques that affect the cerebral cortex, amygdala and hippocampus. There is also neurotransmission damage in the brain. One of the major functional deficits in Alzheimer's disease is a hypofunction of cholinergic neurons. This leads to the cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease and the rationale for strategies to increase acetylcholine in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. Two FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, tacrine and donepezil, are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Huperzine A is also an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and has been found to increase acetylcholine levels in the rat brain following its administration. It also increases norepinephrine and dopamine, but not serotonin levels. The natural L or (-)-huperzine A is approximately three times more potent than the racemic or (±)-huperzine A in vitro.

PHARMACOKINETICS

There are limited pharmacokinetic studies with huperzine A. It appears that huperzine A is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and transported to the liver via the portal circulation. Some first-pass metabolism takes place in the liver, and huperzine A and its metabolites are distributed widely in the body, including to the brain. Following ingestion, the time to reach peak blood level is approximately 80 minutes.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Huperzine A has potent pharmacological effects and, particularly since long-term safety has not been determined, it should only be used with medical supervision. It may have some effectiveness in Alzheimer's disease and age-related memory impairment. It has been used to treat fever and some inflammatory disorders, but there is no credible scientific evidence to support these uses.

RESEARCH SUMMARY

Numerous studies, most of them from China, suggest that huperzine A may be as effective as the drugs tacrine and donepezil in Alzheimer's disease. This is not so surprising since in vitro and animal model tests have demonstrated that huperzine A effectively inhibits acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that catalyzes acetylcholine breakdown. Tacrine and donepezil work in the same way to conserve acetylcholine in the brain--the mode by which they presumptively improve memory and cognition in those with Alzheimer's and age-related cognitive impairment. Huperzine A may prove superior to tacrine (dose-limited due to its hepatotoxicity) if long-range studies, yet to be conducted, demonstrate its safety.

In one double-blind, randomized study, huperzine A, in injectable form, was tested against a saline control in 56 patients with multi-infarct dementia or senile dementia and in 104 patients with senile and pre-senile simple memory disorders. Huperzine A produced significant positive effects as measured by the Wechsler Memory Scale. Dizziness was experienced by a few of the huperzine A-treated patients.

In another study, this one multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled and randomized, 50 subjects with Alzheimer's disease were given huperzine A or placebo for eight weeks. Significant improvement was noted in 58 percent of the patients in terms of memory, cognitive and behavioral functions. Research is ongoing.

CONTRAINDICATIONS, PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS CONTRAINDICATIONS

None known.

PRECAUTIONS

Huperzine A should be avoided by children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Because of possible adverse effects in those with seizure disorders, cardiac arrhythmias and asthma, those with these disorders should avoid huperzine A. Those with irritable bowel disease, inflammatory bowel disease and malabsorption syndromes should avoid huperzine A.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Adverse effects reported with huperzine A include gastrointestinal effects, such as nausea and diarrhea, sweating, blurred vision, fasciculations and dizziness. Possible adverse effects include vomiting, cramping, bronchospasm, bradycardia, arrhythmias, seizures, urinary incontinence, increased urination and hypersalivation.

INTERACTIONS DRUGS

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: Use of huperzine A along with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors donepezil or tacrine may produce additive effects, including additive adverse effects. Other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors include neostigmine, physostigmine and pyridostigmine, and use of these agents along with huperzine A may produce additive effects, including additive adverse effects.

Cholinergic Drugs: Use of huperzine A along with cholinergic drugs, such as bethanechol, may produce additive effects, including additive adverse effects.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

Use of huperzine A with choline, phosphatidylcholine, CDP-choline and L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine hypothetically might produce additive effects, including additive adverse effects.

OVERDOSAGE

There are no reports of overdosage with huperzine A.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

There are various forms of huperzine A available, including extracts of Huperzia serrata, natural (-)-huperzine A and synthetic racemic (±)-huperzine A. Natural (-)-huperzine A is approximately three times more potent than the synthetic racemic mixture. The doses of natural (-)-huperzine A used in clinical studies ranged from 60 micrograms to 200 micrograms daily. Huperzine A should only be used with a physician's recommendation and monitoring.

HOW SUPPLIED

Capsules — 50 mcg

Tablets — 50 mcg

LITERATURE

Cheng DH, Tang XC. Comparative studies of huperzine A, E-2020 and tacrine on behavior and cholinesterase activities. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1998; 60:377-386.

Cheng DH, Ren H, Tang XC. Huperzine A, a novel promising acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Neuroreport. 1996; 8:97-101.

Quian BC, Wang M, Zhou ZF, et al. Pharmacokinetics of tablet huperzine A in six volunteers. Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao. 1995; 16:396-398.

Tang XC, Kindel GH, Kozikowski AP, Hanin I. Comparison of the effects of natural and synthetic huperzine A on rat brain cholinergic function in vitro and in vivo. J Ethnopharmacol. 1994; 44:147-155.

Xiong ZQ, Tang XC. Effect of huperzine A, a novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on radial maze performance in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1995; 51:415-419.

Xu SS, Gao ZX, Weng Z, et al. Efficacy of tablet huperzine-A on memory, cognition and behavior in Alzheimer's disease. Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao. 1995; 16:391-395.

Ye JW, Cai JX, Wang LM, Tang XC. Improving effects of huperzine A on spatial working memory in aged monkeys and young adult monkeys with experimental cognitive impairment. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1999; 288:814-819.

Zhang RW, Tang XC, Han YY, et al. Drug evaluation of huperzine A in the treatment of senile memory disorders. [Article in Chinese] Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao. 1991; 12:250-252.

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The CareGiver: Huperzine A Factsheet (Alzheimer's)

2006-11-18T15:43:00.000-05:00