Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease
Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease:
There are currently no treatments that can cure or stop the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The care of people with Alzheimer's disease is aimed at minimizing symptoms and maximizing independence and the quality of life as much as possible.
There are some medications that may help to manage some symptoms, and there are many clinical trials taking place to research a variety of potential treatments. Medications may include drugs that can help with cognitive symptoms, such as memory, language and judgement. These medications include memantine (Namenda) and cholinesterase inhibitors, such as Aricept, Exelon, and Razadyne.
In some cases, medications may be used to treat behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. These medications may include antidepressants and antipsychotics.
It is important for caretakers to remember that a person with Alzheimer's disease has difficulty learning and understanding new situations. Because of this it is best to simplifying tasks to make completing daily tasks as feasible and safe as possible. It is also important to keep regular routines for a person with Alzheimer's disease and manage the environment so that it stays a familiar as possible.
People with Alzheimer's disease eventually become completely disabled and require total care in order to meet daily needs, such as eating, dressing and hygiene. They also require constant supervision and security to prevent wandering and other safety issues. This generally requires the care of a skilled nursing facility.
Treatment List for Alzheimer's Disease
The list of treatments mentioned in various sources
for Alzheimer's Disease
includes the following list.
Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment
or change in treatment plans.
- Mental stimulation
- Tacrine (THA, Cognex)
- Aricept (donepezil) - reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
- Exelon (rivastigmine) - reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
- Supportive care
- Nursing homes
- There is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease, but some medications may have benefit in preserving independence for a period of time, and prolonging the time that the patient can be managed at home. These include:
- Anticholinesterases - Donezepil, Galantamine, Rivastigmine, Tacrine
- NMDA antagonist - Memantine
- Management of neuropsychiatric symptoms is also important. Both drug and non-drug therapies are used. Medications utilised include:
- Antipsychotics - for agitation and psychosis
- Mood stabilisers - Carbamazepine, valproate
- Antidepressants - especially SSRI's
- Vitamin E - there is debate over its usefulness but may be prescribed by some physicians
- Non-drug therapy is important and forms the backbone of day to day patient management and includes:
- A calm environment, and a calm approach by carers
- Regular routine
- Ongoing mental stimulation
- Carer support
- Dementia specific nursing home care
Alternative Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease
Alternative treatments or home remedies that have been listed as possibly helpful for Alzheimer's Disease may include:
- Resveratrol (found in red wine)
- Grape seed extract
- Turmeric
- Oleocanthal (extra virgin olive oil)
- Ashwaghandha (Indian ginseng)
- more treatments »
Alzheimer's Disease: Is the Diagnosis Correct?
The first step in getting correct treatment is
to get a correct diagnosis.
Differential diagnosis list for Alzheimer's Disease may include:
Alzheimer's Disease: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers
Products, offers and promotion categories available for Alzheimer's Disease:
Curable Types of Alzheimer's Disease
Possibly curable types of Alzheimer's Disease may include:
Alzheimer's Disease: Research Doctors & Specialists
- Nerve Specialists:
- Mental Health Specialists:
- Neurology (Brain/CNS Specialists):
- more specialists...»
Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.
Drugs and Medications used to treat Alzheimer's Disease:
Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment
or change in treatment plans.
Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease include:
Unlabeled Drugs and Medications to treat Alzheimer's Disease:
Unlabelled alternative drug treatments for Alzheimer's Disease include:
Hospital statistics for Alzheimer's Disease:
These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Alzheimer's Disease:
- 7,900 patients were hospitalised with Alzheimer’s as a primary diagnosis in the US 2000 (National Home and Hospice Care Survey, NCHS, CDC)
- 7.5% of current hospitalised patients had Alzheimer’s as a primary diagnosis in the US 2000 (National Home and Hospice Care Survey, NCHS, CDC)
- 0.12% (15,864) of hospital episodes were for Alzheimer’s and other degenerative diseases in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 78% of hospital consultations for Alzheimer’s and other degenerative diseases required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 45% of hospital episodes for Alzheimer’s and other degenerative diseases were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- more hospital information...»
Hospitals & Medical Clinics: Alzheimer's Disease
Research quality ratings and patient incidents/safety measures
for hospitals and medical facilities in specialties related to Alzheimer's Disease:
Hospital & Clinic quality ratings »
Choosing the Best Treatment Hospital:
More general information, not necessarily in relation to Alzheimer's Disease,
on hospital and medical facility performance and surgical care quality:
Medical news summaries about treatments for Alzheimer's Disease:
The following medical news items
are relevant to treatment of Alzheimer's Disease:
Discussion of treatments for Alzheimer's Disease:
NINDS Alzheimer's Disease Information Page: NINDS (Excerpt)
There is no cure for AD and no way to slow the
progression of the disease. For some people in the early or middle stages
of the disease, medication such as tacrine may alleviate some cognitive
symptoms. Aricept (donepezil) and Exelon (rivastigmine) are reversible
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors that are indicated for the treatment of
mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Also, some medications
may help control behavioral symptoms such as sleeplessness, agitation,
wandering, anxiety, and depression. These treatments are aimed at making
the patient more comfortable.
(Source: excerpt from NINDS Alzheimer's Disease Information Page: NINDS)
Aging -- Women Getting Older: NWHIC (Excerpt)
There is no cure for AD. Doctors may prescribe certain medication in an
attempt to slow the progression of the disease. People with AD should go
to their doctor regularly. The doctor will check to see how the disease is
progressing and treat any other illnesses that occur. The doctor and other
health professionals also can offer help and support to patients and their
families. Currently, there is on-going research into preventing and curing
Alzheimer’s Disease. (Source: excerpt from Aging -- Women Getting Older: NWHIC)
Alzheimer's Disease: NWHIC (Excerpt)
No treatment can stop AD. However, for some people in the early and
middle stages of the disease, the drug tacrine (also known as THA or
Cognex) may alleviate some cognitive symptoms. Also, some medications may
help control behavioral symptoms of AD such as sleeplessness, agitation,
wandering, anxiety, and depression. Treating these symptoms often makes
patients more comfortable and makes their care easier for caregivers. (Source: excerpt from Alzheimer's Disease: NWHIC)
Forgetfulness It's Not Always What You Think -- Age Page -- Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)
For some people in the early and middle stages of Alzheimer's
disease, the drug tacrine (also known as Cognex or THA) is
prescribed to possibly delay the worsening of some of the disease's
symptoms. (Source: excerpt from Forgetfulness It's Not Always What You Think -- Age Page -- Health Information: NIA)
NIA's Progress Report on Alzheimer's Disease, 1998: NIA (Excerpt)
In 1996, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved donepezil
hydrochloride (Aricept) to help treat some mild to moderate symptoms in some AD
patients and delay progression for from 6 to 12 months. Aricept (also known as
epsilon2020) is the second drug approved by the FDA to treat AD. The first drug,
tacrine (Cognex), has been marketed since 1993. AD is marked by the loss of
neurons that produce acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter in cognitive
functioning. Both Aricept and Cognex act by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, an
enzyme that normally breaks down acetylcholine. However, neither drug stops nor
reverses the progression of AD. Occasional side effects of Aricept include
diarrhea and nausea. The drug also can cause an irregular heartbeat, especially
in patients with heart conditions. Fainting spells have been reported in some
patients. However, Aricept seems not to affect liver enzymes, an effect that
prevented many patients from taking Cognex. Most researchers agree that neither
Aricept nor Cognex works for all, or even most, AD patients so that the drugs'
effects and duration of usefulness are limited. (Source: excerpt from NIA's Progress Report on Alzheimer's Disease, 1998: NIA)
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