Treatments
In just the last decade, drugs have been developed that help slow the progress of dementia.
Since 1996 five new drugs have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Four of these drugs work by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that is necessary for memory formation: Cognex, Aricept, Exelon, and Reminyl. These four drugs all can temporarily improve or stabilize memory and many studies have shown that they help to slow the decline in mental functions in patients with Alzheimer's Disease. Although none of these drugs can stop or reverse the course of Alzheimer's Disease, research shows that the earlier patients with Alzheimer's Disease begin taking these medications, the longer they preserve their mental abilities.
Namenda is a new drug used to treat Alzheimer’s disease that works by regulating glutamate, another neurotransmitter that is disrupted in Alzheimer's Disease , and protecting brain cells (neurons) that are lost during Alzheimer's Disease . Combining Namenda with drugs that promote acetylcholine (i.e., Aricept) offers better results than any single drug.
Many other new treatments are currently being evaluated in clinics around the world. One new type of drug that researchers believe is showing promise works by preventing the clumping of beta amyloid proteins, a biochemical process that is believed to cause the brain pathology in patients with Alzheimer's Disease. Finally, these drugs can improve intellectual functioning in some individuals with early vascular dementia or with Lewy body disease.
Treatments
