Alzheimer's Disease: An Overview

Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease

Treating Alzheimer's disease early can greatly extend the life and improve he well-being of individuals with the disease. This can be done through both medications and therapies. Find out what options for treating Alzheimer's are currently available below.

Alzheimer's Treatment and Medications

There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease.^[1] Currently, treatment is focused on helping people maintain mental function, managing behavioral issues, and slowing the progression of disease. Researchers are looking at treatment that addresses the causes of symptoms. They are studying treatments for disease of the blood vessels of the brain, as well as antioxidants, training to improve thinking, physical activity and vaccinations.

Currently, there are four drugs approved for Alzheimer's disease. They do not stop or cure the disease but help with the chemical signals within the brain. Drugs for moderate Alzheimer's disease include donepezil (Aricept®), rivastigmine (Exelon®), galantamine (Razadyne®). Donepezil can be used to treat severe Alzheimer's disease too. Memantine (Namenda®) is used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.

Other medicines may be used to treat behavioral problems such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, anger and depression.^[1]

This Elder Health Guide was published on August 1, 2009.