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Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. There's no cure for Alzheimer's. However, certain medicines can improve memory and slow the progression of the disease in the early stages, while others can alleviate mood changes and other behavioural problems.
Treatment options:
- Neurons are the basic building blocks of your nervous system. Acetylcholine is the chemical that helps neurons communicate with one another. In Alzheimer's there is a loss of the nerve cells that use acetylcholine and these cells are broken down. Lowered acetylcholine levels and progressive loss of these nerve cells are linked to worsening symptoms. Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) and Reminyl (galanthamine) prevent an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase from breaking down acetylcholine in the brain. As a result, an increased concentration of acetylcholine leads to increased communication between nerve cells. This may temporarily alleviate or stabilise some symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
- Glutamate is the most common neurotransmitter in the brain and is involved in learning and memory. As the brain cells of someone with Alzheimer's disease die, they release excess amounts of glutamate. The excess glutamate becomes harmful because it overstimulates healthy brain cells causing them to become damaged or die. Ebixa (memantine) is used to treat Alzheimer’s disease by blocking NMDA glutamate receptors (glutamate receptor found in nerve cells) which binds to glutamate to carry out the process of damaging and killing healthy brain cells. As glutamate and NMDA glutamate cannot bind, the healthy cells will not be damaged.
- Antidepressants, anti-anxiety, mood-stabilising and other medications (e.g. anti-psychotics) can be prescribed. These are usually added to deal with the neuropsychiatric symptoms, e.g. insomnia, depression and anxiety symptoms, hallucinations or paranoia, aggression and agitation.
Several new drugs are still under investigation for potential benefits in Alzheimer’s disease, but as yet there is no cure. The goal of treatment in Alzheimer's disease is to manage the symptoms as far as possible.
