Treatment and Prevention
Because there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and maintaining the quality of the person's life. Certain medications, called cholinesterase inhibitors, can help maintain brain function and delay the progression of the disease for several months to a year. In patients with moderate to advanced disease, a medication called memantine* may provide additional benefit. This medication can also be used in patients who do not tolerate cholinesterase inhibitors. However, the course of the disease is such that it eventually continues to worsen.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to help people with Alzheimer's disease that do not involve medications. These include:
- reminder notes
- personal organizing tools such as date books and beepers
- providing instructions for activities such as bathing, eating, and dressing
- family counseling and support
- behavior training for inappropriate behaviors
The behavior changes of Alzheimer's disease can be very distressing to people and their families or caregivers. Medications may be used to control severe agitation or behaviors which may result in physical harm or are very distressing to the person. However, in many cases agitation can be controlled without medications.
Not enough is known about the causes of Alzheimer's to provide clear advice about how to prevent it. Research into the effects of tobacco and alcohol is just getting underway, but there's still no hard evidence one way or the other. These drugs are clearly linked to other forms of dementia; however, it's a good idea for people who want their brains to stay healthy to avoid both.
An increased level of fitness helps the brain to stay healthy, so aerobic exercise may be a factor in either preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer's. Computerized "brain fitness" programs are becoming popular to keep the brain active and possibly protect it from deterioration. So far there is no convincing scientific evidence that this is effective in preventing Alzheimer's, but investigations are ongoing.
Contact your local Alzheimer's society for more information on new advances in research and suggestions for helping a person who has Alzheimer's disease.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Kevin Sheth, MD, Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.