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. These medicines may 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 drugs also work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine. They
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.