The following are used to temporarily improve dementia symptoms. Cholinesterase inhibitors. These medicines work by boosting levels of a chemical messenger involved in memory and judgment. They include donepezil (Aricept, Adlarity), rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine (Razadyne ER).
Treatment for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease
Galantamine, rivastigmine, and donepezil are cholinesterase inhibitors that are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimer's symptoms. These drugs may help reduce or control some cognitive and behavioral symptoms.
Two classes of drugs are approved for specific use in the treatment of dementia: Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs). Three of this class of drug (donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine) are approved for use in mild to moderate dementia in AD.
Of these, the first-line agents are the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine. These drugs increase levels of acetylcholine—an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for memory and cognitive function—in the brain by preventing enzymatic breakdown of acetylcholine.
There is currently no "cure" for dementia. In fact, because dementia is caused by different diseases it is unlikely that there will be a single cure for dementia. Research is aimed at finding cures for dementia-causing diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.
Updated: July 24, 2023.] The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted full approval to a new Alzheimer's treatment called lecanemab, which has been shown to moderately slow cognitive and functional decline in early-stage cases of the disease.
Build quiet times into the day, along with activities. Keep well-loved objects and photographs around the house to help the person feel more secure. Remind the person who you are if he or she doesn't remember, but try not to say, “Don't you remember?” Encourage a two-way conversation for as long as possible.
Cholinesterase inhibitors.
These medicines work by boosting levels of a chemical messenger involved in memory and judgment. They include donepezil (Aricept, Adlarity), rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine (Razadyne ER).
Treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias is typically most effective when started early in the disease process. This includes medications as well as some alternative therapies. Learn more about how to treat dementia.
There are many different types of dementia and all of them are progressive. This means symptoms may be relatively mild at first but they get worse with time, usually over several years. These include problems with memory, thinking, problem-solving or language, and often changes in emotions, perception or behaviour.
Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty.
These include memory training, psychosocial activation and physical exercise programs. Some of these methods could possibly improve people's cognitive performance and increase their independence. As Alzheimer's disease progresses, it becomes more and more difficult for people to do everyday activities on their own.
People with dementia often rely on their routines as a source of comfort. A daily routine helps a person know what to expect. This means that a sudden disruption in routine may cause dementia symptoms to get worse. This is especially true if a person experiences stress.
Engaging in mental or social activities may help to build up your brain's ability to cope with disease, relieve stress and improve your mood. This means doing these activities may help to delay, or even prevent, dementia from developing. Find activities you enjoy that challenge your brain, and do them regularly.
Dementia vs. Alzheimer's Disease: What is the Difference? Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, while Alzheimer's is a specific disease. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.
Introduction: The five-word test (5WT) is a serial verbal memory test with semantic cuing. It is proposed to rapidly evaluate memory of aging people and has previously shown its sensitivity and its specificity in identifying patients with AD.
While it is important to try to understand and address the underlying reasons for these problems, it may be necessary at times to prescribe medication if the symptoms are distressing, persistent and have not responded to psychological treatments. This page describes the different types of drugs that may be prescribed.
One of the most common causes of death for people with dementia is pneumonia caused by an infection. A person in the later stages of dementia may have symptoms that suggest that they are close to death, but can sometimes live with these symptoms for many months.
Alzheimer's disease – around eight to 10 years. Life expectancy is less if the person is diagnosed in their 80s or 90s. A few people with Alzheimer's live for longer, sometimes for 15 or even 20 years. Vascular dementia – around five years.
Early trial results appear to suggest that new drug donanemab slows the progression of Alzheimer's symptoms by 36%.
The SAGE test is a 12-question exam that measures cognitive functioning and may help a physician determine whether Alzheimer's is present.