BCHE and neurodegenerative disease: BChE is a prospective drug target in neurodegenerative diseases, detoxification of cocaine, heroin, and other xenobiotics, nerve agent protection, ghrelin homeostasis, etc.10, 11, 12, 13 The rationale behind using selective BChEIs in AD is based on their lack of peripheral parasympathomimetic side effects, and the fact that in some brain regions BChE takes over as the main ChE as the disease progresses.14