Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease do exist medications that can relieve symptoms and slow the development of the disease. One of the first drugs used was tacrine (Cognex). This is an inhibitor of an enzyme called cholinesterase that breaks down acetylcholine. Tacrine is no longer used in many countries because it can cause liver damage and causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Other cholinesterase inhibitors with fewer side effects. Among these is the donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon, Prometax) and galantamine (formerly called Reminyl and Razadyne today). These medications are used to improve but limited the symptoms but do not prevent disease progression. A recent study published in the medical journal The Lancet has put into question the benefits of this type of medication. However, most doctors like the manufacturers of these drug companies claim that this study has a number of methodological flaws that invalidate it.
One other recent drug is memantine (Akatinol). Memantine helps prevent death of neurons. It has been found that patients who use it enhances their ability to perform daily activities and improve cognitive function in some other benefits. Some researchers believe that combining memantine with donepezil produced better effects than using them separately.
Selegiline (Edepryl) is a drug that has shown some efficacy in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. However, it has been shown to improve cognitive abilities.
Other drugs are used, not only for the purpose of delaying the disease but to control symptoms associated with behavior, improve mood of patients and control another set of symptoms. Depression, which often occurs in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease can be treated by antidepressant medications. Drugs are also used to treat insomnia, agitation, anxiety and hallucinations.