Medication

Modern Alzheimer's medications - so-called antidementia agents - can decelerate the progression of the disease for up to two years and work to improve the patient's memory, ability to concentrate and overall well-being. The goal is to extend the patient's independence and quality of life as long as possible.

Two different medications of separate classes are currently available: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and Memantine. They both act on neurotransmitters, with the former affecting acetylcholine and the latter glutamate.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are chemicals that prevent the cholinesterase enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine and thus help to slow down the growing shortage of acetylcholine caused by Alzheimer's disease. The loss of brain tissue caused by Alzheimer's disease results in a deficiency in acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter important for carrying information from one nerve to the next. Currently, various acetylcholine inhibitors are available as therapy options for those patients suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, such as Donepezil, Rivastigmine and Galantamine. These agents all have side effects, with nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain, insomnia and headaches being the most common.

Memantine protects against the accumulation of high concentrations of glutamate. Memantine alters the damaging effects of the accumulation of glutamate on the so-called NMDA-receptors caused by Alzheimer's disease. As a result, learning signals are once again identified, causing a positive effect on the patient's cognition, mood and ability to perform daily activities. In the most current national guidelines on dementia, the efficacy of Memantine has been given the highest rating by the so-called evidence-based medicine review publications. This rating indicates that the results of the effectiveness of the medication have been proven in multiple, rigorous trials.

Conflicting results have been seen in the ginkgo bilboa compounds. If any positive effects are to be seen, then it is in mild Alzheimer's disease where an improvement in memory may be detected. Presently, large spectrums of various investigational medicines are being researched in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.