Alzheimer's Disease
Treatments
No Known Cure, Research Offers Hope
There is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease, but there are treatments that can prevent some symptoms from getting worse for a limited time. Ongoing research offers hope that someday it may be possible to delay the onset of Alzheimer's, slow its progress, or prevent it altogether.
Medical Care Needs Can Vary
The course of Alzheimer's disease -- which symptoms appear and how quickly changes occur -- varies from person to person. The time from diagnosis to the end of life varies, too. It can be as little as 3 years if the person is over 80 years old when diagnosed, or as long as 10 years or more if the person is younger.
A person with Alzheimer's should be under a doctor's care and may see a neurologist, psychiatrist, family doctor, internist, or geriatrician (a specialist who treats older adults). The doctor can treat the person's physical and behavioral problems and answer the many questions that the person and his or her family may have.
Drugs to Treat Symptoms
No treatment can stop Alzheimer's disease. However, four drugs are used to treat symptoms of the disease. They may help maintain thinking, memory, and speaking skills and help with some behavioral problems for a limited time. These drugs work by regulating certain chemicals in the brain.
For people with mild or moderate Alzheimer's, donepezil (Aricept®), rivastigmine (Exelon®), or galantamine (Razadyne®) may help prevent some symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time. Donepezil is also approved for symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimer's. Another drug, memantine (Namenda®), is used to treat symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimer's, although it is also limited in its effects.
All of these drugs have possible side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. You should report any unusual symptoms to a doctor right away. It is important to follow a doctor's instructions when taking any medication.
Controlling Behavioral Symptoms
Some medicines and other non-drug approaches can help control the behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. These symptoms include sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, anger, and depression. Treating these symptoms often makes patients more comfortable and makes their care easier for caregivers.
How Family and friends can Help
Family members and friends can help people with mild Alzheimer's continue their daily routines, physical activities, and social contacts. They should be kept up-to-date about the details of their lives, such as the time of day, where they live, and what is happening at home or in the world. (For more about caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease, click on http://nihseniorhealth.gov/alzheimerscare/toc.html.)
Memory aids may help some people who have mild Alzheimer's disease with day-to-day living. A big calendar, a list of daily plans, notes about simple safety measures, and written directions describing how to use common household items can be useful.
Testing New Drugs and Treatments
Scientists are testing a number of drugs and other treatments to see if they can help reduce Alzheimer's symptoms, slow the disease, or even prevent it. Among the areas being explored are
- completely new drugs to directly affect the progress of the disease
- treatments for heart disease and diabetes
- vaccines
- lifestyle factors such as changes in diet, physical activity, and mentally stimulating activities such as puzzles and games.
