Medications for dementia, primarily for Alzheimer's, include Cholinesterase Inhibitors (Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine) to improve brain cell communication and NMDA Receptor Antagonists (Memantine) for moderate-to-severe cases, slowing symptom progression; newer immunotherapy drugs (Lecanemab, Donanemab) target amyloid plaques in early Alzheimer's, slowing decline, but require careful monitoring for side effects like brain swelling. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and potentially slowing decline, not curing dementia, with effects varying by individual.
Seroquel is the brand name for quetiapine, an atypical antipsychotic that is used off-label to treat severe behavioral signs of dementia. It can help with bad symptoms, including agitation, aggressiveness, and hallucinations, that other drugs don't help with.
Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Memantine
For about half of the people who take them, cholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil, or Aricept®, among others, can slow the worsening of memory loss and confusion for 6 to 12 months, on average.
Donanemab, like lecanemab, is a type of drug called a monoclonal antibody. Antibodies form part of our immune system and bind to harmful proteins to destroy them. Donanemab contains antibodies that bind to a protein called amyloid, which builds up in the brain in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
Dementia is the name for problems with mental abilities caused by gradual changes and damage in the brain. It's rare in people under 65. Vascular dementia tends to get worse over time, although it's sometimes possible to slow it down.
Although we can't stop Alzheimer's entirely, certain treatments and lifestyle strategies may slow its progression. The goal is to preserve memory, independence, and quality of life for as long as possible.
Life expectancy with vascular dementia varies widely but averages around 5 years after diagnosis, often less than Alzheimer's, because it shares risk factors with heart attack/stroke, and death is often due to these conditions rather than the dementia itself, though many die from their dementia. Prognosis depends heavily on overall health, age, sex (men often have shorter survival), comorbidities, and stroke/heart attack history, with progression marked by plateaus and sudden declines.
Vitamin D supplements are linked to a significant reduction in dementia risk, with a major study showing users had a 40% lower incidence of developing dementia compared to non-users, particularly benefiting older adults, with even greater effects seen in women and those without existing cognitive issues. This reduction highlights Vitamin D's role in brain health, possibly by clearing amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's.
A major step forward is the FDA approval of anti-amyloid immunotherapies like lecanemab and donanemab. These drugs are used for early-stage AD, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia, by targeting and reducing amyloid plaques in the brain.
These foods include:
The cause of roughly 70% of all dementia cases is Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disorder characterized by the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, leading to memory loss and impaired thinking that interferes with daily life, making it the most common form of dementia.
When someone gets the diagnosis of dementia, a cure is only very rarely possible (see p2 About Reversible Dementias). In the current issue of Neurology, Sacks and Shulman1 report one of these rare cases of a reversal of dementia involving a patient on steroid medication.
Many medications increase the risk of dementia, especially in older adults. These drugs are SSRIs, benzodiazepines, PPIs, and anticholinergics. Anticholinergics disrupt acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for memory, movement, and learning.
Antidepressants such as sertraline, citalopram, mirtazapine and trazodone are widely prescribed for people with dementia who develop changes in mood and behaviour. There is some evidence that they may help to reduce agitation – particularly citalopram.
Meaningful activities are a great way to bring joy, connection, and comfort to a loved one with dementia. Simple things like enjoying a favorite song, moving a little each day, or engaging in familiar routines can make a big difference in their well-being.
The 10 warning signs of dementia include memory loss, difficulty with familiar tasks, confusion about time/place, trouble with language, poor judgment, misplacing things, personality changes, loss of initiative, and problems with visual/spatial skills, requiring professional assessment to distinguish from normal aging.
You Miss Out on Sleep
You do a few things you know you shouldn't -- we all do. But some of those bad habits can take a toll on your brain. For example, lack of sleep may be a cause of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. It's best to have regular sleeping hours.
Blueberries, the well-known 'super fruit,' could help fight Alzheimer's - YouTube.
Many people affected by dementia are concerned that they may inherit or pass on dementia. The majority of dementia is not inherited by children and grandchildren. In rarer types of dementia there may be a strong genetic link, but these are only a tiny proportion of overall cases of dementia.
By the age of 75-80, 40% of people have a diminished ability to absorb food-bound B12, says Mason. This deficiency leads to a decline in nerve health, particularly in the spine and brain, which can contribute to the risk of developing dementia in older adults.
The vitamins that support overall brain wellness include B vitamins, particularly B6, B12, and folate, as well as vitamin D and vitamin E. These nutrients contribute to cognitive function, memory, and overall brain health.
Many foods — blueberries, leafy greens, and curcumin (found in the spice turmeric), to name a few — have been studied for their potential cognitive benefit. These foods have been thought to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, or other properties that might help protect the brain.
Smoking, low physical activity, and a poor diet are all lifestyle and environmental influences that have been linked to rapid dementia decline. Physical activity promotes cardiovascular health, which in turn improves brain function. Those who lead a sedentary lifestyle may experience faster cognitive decline.
Life expectancy with dementia varies greatly but averages a few years to over a decade, often 4 to 8 years for Alzheimer's, depending heavily on age at diagnosis (younger means longer), type (Alzheimer's generally longer than Vascular), and other health conditions, with newer research showing averages like 5.1 years for women and 4.3 for men from diagnosis, but with wide ranges from shorter for older adults to longer for some.