Dementia Treatment & Prevention Options

Conditions & Diseases: Brain & Nervous System

Dementia

Dementia Treatment & Management

There is no definitive cure for dementia since the exact causes of the disorder are unclear. However, it is possible to minimize some of the common symptoms of the early stages of alzheimer's disease with medications currently available. They include:

Tacrine (Cognex): The drug is seldom prescribed due to many side effects, potential liver damage and disappointing memory results.
Newer drugs such as Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine (Exelon) and Galantamine (Reminyl) with fewer side effects are stated to be beneficial for memory improvement but effective only in early and middle stages of Alzheimer's Disease (12).
Donepezil is expected to delay the onset of AD for about one year in people suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (13).
Memantine HCl (Namenda): was actually prescribed for moderate to severe stage AD but now is being prescribed even in earlier stages (12).
Cholinesterase inhibitor. The common side effects include dizziness, agitation and delusional behavior (13).
Administration of Vitamin E has proved to show positive results without side effects (12).
Antipsychotic drugs not approved by FDA are some times used to treat agitation and belligerence. The drugs include Haloperidol, Risperidone (Risperdal®), Benzodiazepines, and drugs such as Olanzapine [Zyprexa®], Quetiapine [Seroquel®], Ziprasadone [Zeldox®, Geodon®]). The drugs increase the risk of death in elderly patients and the side effects include confusion, sedation, and increased muscle tone (14).
Cholinesterase inhibitors are used to treat cognitive functions and behavioral symptoms in Lewy body disease.
Opiate drugs are used to relieve pain.
Clonazepam and Sodium valproate are used to relieve myoclonus (4).

Prevention Methods
Research has proved that taking some cautionary measures may help prevent the onset of dementia. Some of the preventive measures include:

Lowering Homocysteine: Increasing the dosage of the three B vitamins lowers homocysteine levels. It is important to note that higher homocysteine levels increase the risk of vascular dementia and an increase in dosage of vitamin B12 (folic acid) and B6 slows the progression of Alzheimer's Disease.

Lowering Cholesterol Levels: Increased levels of cholesterol tend to form amyloid plaques in the brain. “Mutations in a gene called CYP46 and the apoE E4 gene variant, both of which have been linked to an increased risk of AD, are also involved in cholesterol metabolism” (4). Statins lower the cholesterol levels and consequently lower the chances of cognitive impairment.

Lowering Blood Pressure: Studies have shown that an antihypertensive drug reduces cognitive impairment in elderly people.

Exercise: Regular physical exercises help in maintenance of hormonal balance and also stimulate in release of chemicals required for the survival of neurons and delay the onset of dementia. (4)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naproxen Sodium (Aleve) and Indomethacin (Indocin) are expected reduce the risk of AD since inflammation is the causal agent. Nevertheless, research in this regard is still in progress.

Cholesterol drugs: Drugs such as Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Rosuvastatin (Crestor) and Simvastatin (Zocor) (used to lower cholesterol levels) may minimize the risk of Alzheimer's Disease as some recent studies have shown. However, further research is necessary and ongoing. (15)

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com

Page Covers: What is the treatment for dementia? How can dementia be prevented?

Sources:

Dementia Overview, Kathryn L Hale (2007). emedicineHealth
Dementia (2003). The Merck Manuals online medical library
Dementia (2006). The Merck Manual of Geriatrics
Dementia: Hope Through Research (2007). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Alzheimer’s Disease (2007). Omni Medical Search
Tracy C. Shuman (2005). Alzheimer's Disease: Other Forms of Dementia. WebMD
Primary and Secondary Causes of Dementia (2006). About Dementia
10 warning signs of dementia (2007). Alzheimer's & Dementia - Symptoms and signs
Stages of Alzheimer's (2007). Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer's Diagnosis (2006). Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation
Steps to Diagnosis (2007). Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer's disease. Family Caregiver Alliance
Treatment. Alzheimer’s Disease (2006). Mayoclinic.com
Treatment (2007). Alzheimer's Disease. Neurology channel
Prevention. Alzheimer’s Disease (2006). Mayoclinic.com

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Page Last Modified:
03/06/2011