Treatment of Alzheimer’ disease
Currently there is no treatment and complete diagnosis of the disease. Only the symptoms and effects of the disease can be lessened to some extent.
Treatment includes:
• Family support: Total emotional support should be given to the patient by the family members and caregivers. This will reduce stress, frustration and embarrassment in the mind of patient, resulting in fewer attacks.
• Administration of drugs which enhance ability of brain’s acetylcholine: When autopsy is performed on AD affected patients, acetylcholine depletion has been found. So, as a treatment, drugs which enhance acetylcholine secretion in brain are administered.
• Administrating acetylcholinesterase inhibiting drugs: This effect discussed in point 2 above can also be achieved by administering a drug which inhibits acetylcholinesterase. Tacrine (Cognex) and donepezil (Aricept) are some common drugs.
• Administering the drug Memantine: Memantine is marketed under the trade name, Namenda. This drugs blocks NMDA receptors and protects brain cells against excess glutamate.
• Vaccine treatment: Vaccines which remove the plagues of the brain can also be given. This treatment method is less used because it has serious side effects.
• Antipsychotic Medications: Antipsychotic medications which are used in treatment of schizophrenia are also used as a treatment method. These medicines are also stress relievers. However, FDA has approved that patients receiving such medications are at greater risk of death. So, giving these medications is the last treatment method of this disease.