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Treatments for Alzheimer's
Disease
Many treatments are being evaluated, but as of yet, there is no
cure. There are a number of medications currently approved by the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of mild to
moderate Alzheimer's Disease. Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine
(Exelon) and Galantamine (Reminyl) are medications which block the
enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, which is one of the enzymes responsible
for degrading acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter
in the brain which is crucial for the formation of memories. Clinical
drug trials with these medications show that cognitive abilities
can be improved over baseline for up to 6-12 months after starting
a cholinesterase inhibitor. These medications have also been shown
to improve some of the behaviors associated with Alzheimer's disease,
such as apathy, delusions, and disinhibition. Common side effects
seen with all of the cholinesterase inhibitors include nausea, diarrhea,
and dizziness.
More recently, another medication with a different mechanism of
action has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of moderate
to severe Alzheimer's disease. Memantine
(Namenda) is a medication which helps improve cognition by blocking
the overstimulating effects of excessive glutamate, a mechanism
which appears to be a major factor in cell injury and death in Alzheimer's
disease. Common side effects seen with memantine include dizziness,
confusion and headache. Researchers are also trying to develop other
methods of blocking the product of amyloid plaques or enhancing
their clearance from the brain.
There are also a number of psychiatric medications which are used
to treat the behavioral disturbances which commonly develop in the
later stages of Alzheimer's disease such as depression, apathy,
aggressive behavior, delusional thinking and disinhibition. Medications
used to treat these behavioral and psychiatric symptoms include
antidepressants, antipsychotic and mood stabilizing medications.
The informaton on this page is for reference and educational
purposes. There is no substitute for seeing your doctor.
Related Information
What is dementia?
Symptoms of dementia
Who gets Alzheimer's disease?
Making a diagnosis
Other Disorders
Frontal Lobe Dementia
News
in Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia - Alzheimer's Forum
Visit our Volunteer
For A Study page. If you would like to participate in a research
study and/or clinical trial, please contact us at 312-695-2343 or
by e-mail at CNADC-Admin@northwestern.edu
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