Is there a cure for Alzheimer's disease?
At this time, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease and no proven way of slowing its progression. Because the exact cause of Alzheimer's is unknown, we do not yet have the means to prevent it. However, there are a number of medicines available that can help improve the intellectual functioning of people with Alzheimer's. If they are given early enough in the course of the disease, these medicines enable people to carry out their daily activities for a longer period of time and might prolong the time that patients can be managed at home.
There are also medicines available to help manage some of the most troubling symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, including depression, behavioral problems, and sleeplessness.
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's, planning and medical/social management can help ease the burden on both patients and family members. Exercise, good nutrition, activities, and social interaction are important. A calm, structured environment also might help the person with Alzheimer's disease to continue functioning as long as possible.
How is Alzheimer's disease treated?
Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you based on various factors, including:
- Your age, overall health, and medical history
- Extent of the disease
- Your tolerance for specific medicines, procedures, and therapies
- Expectations for the course of the disease
- Your opinion or preference
What are the medicines used to treat Alzheimer's disease?
- Aricept — Aricept is the most widely used drug for Alzheimer's disease. Aricept works by slowing down the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical that helps nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other. Aricept doesn't cure Alzheimer's or keep it from getting worse, but it can help relieve some of the memory loss. Side effects are usually mild and include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, and weight loss.
- Exelon and Reminyl — These newer drugs also work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine. They also have side effects similar to Aricept.
- Cognex — Cognex also works by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine. Side effects of the drug include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, skin rash, and indigestion. In addition, Cognex can damage the liver, so your doctor will need to perform tests regularly to make sure this isn't happening. Because of these side effects, this drug is infrequently prescribed.
- Namenda — Namenda is prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's. Namenda works by a different mechanism than the other drugs. It is thought to play a protective role in the brain by regulating a chemical messenger called glutamate. Glutamate plays a key role in learning and memory by acting as a kind of "gatekeeper" of some of the brain's other chemicals — allowing certain amounts of these other chemicals (such as calcium, which is required for information storage) to enter the brain's nerve cells. Namenda might have increased benefit when used with Aricept, Exelon, Reminyl, or Cognex. Side effects of Namenda include tiredness, dizziness, confusion, and headache.
Aricept, Exelon, Reminyl, and Cognex seem to help only those with mild or moderate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Namenda is prescribed for patients who have moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s. In addition to these medicines, vitamin E has been shown to be modestly effective in slowing progression in some patients with dementia.
It is important to know that new research findings are giving reason for hope, and several drugs are being studied in clinical trials to determine if they can slow the progress of the disease, or improve memory or other symptoms for a period of time.
A vaccine has also been studied. However, because of unwanted side effects, the initial clinical trial was stopped. Studies are underway to modify the vaccine for improved safety. A number of other therapeutic approaches are being actively investigated.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 9/27/2006.
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