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What about medications?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved five medications for the treatment of Alzheimer disease. Four of these belong to the family of medications known as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), galantamine (Razadyne), and tacrine (Cognex). The fifth medication, memantine (Namenda) acts as a partial antagonist of the neurotransmitter glutamate. Memantine can be […]
What is the best current treatment for Alzheimer disease?
The whole world awaits the day when a truly effective medical treatment becomes available for Alzheimer Disease. Meanwhile the best treatment is a day-by-day holistic approach to optimize quality of life. A huge difference can be made in the quality of the present moments we experience, depending much upon our outlook and supportive and caring […]
Why is research so important?
Through research, the multiple steps leading to the formation and clearance of these proteins are becoming increasing clear. This knowledge will lead to new ideas about ways to slow down or stop the disease process. The safety and effectiveness of new approaches to treatment are then put to test in carefully-controlled conditions known as clinical […]
Does Alzheimer disease affect mood and behavior?
Changes in mood and behavior, as well as memory loss and thinking, are frequently observed in those with Alzheimer disease, but differ greatly from one person to another. Depression, irritability, defensiveness, and social withdrawal are often noted in the early stages. Suspiciousness, paranoia, and visual hallucinations may develop in the later stages. Various degrees of […]
What are the later signs and symptoms of AD?
As the illness progresses, decline becomes evident in visual-spatial and language abilities. The combined loss of memory and visual-spatial orientation places a person at greater risk of getting lost in unfamiliar surroundings. This can result in confusing experiences for a person with Alzheimer disease who is walking or driving alone. The person with AD may […]
What are the early signs and symptoms of AD?
The ability to store new experiences and learn new information is affected first in Alzheimer disease. The earliest signs may be difficult to distinguish from slowing associated with the normal aging process. Even in the best of circumstances, human memory is limited and imperfect. We only remember things that we notice and pay attention to, […]
What causes Alzheimer disease?
By definition, all forms of Alzheimer disease share two features in common, namely the abnormal accumulation of two misfolded proteins: 1) beta-amyloid (a-beta) and 2) phosphorylated tau (p-tau). The accumulation of these proteins may result from either over-production in or decreased clearance from the brain. A-beta amyloid proteins accumulate at synapses (sites of inter-neuronal communications) […]
How does Alzheimer disease differ from dementia?
Alzheimer disease is a brain disease. It is the most common cause of dementia. Among people over the age of 65, Alzheimer disease accounts for over two-thirds of dementia cases. Dementia describes a clinical syndrome of progressive loss of thinking, memory, and other cognitive abilities impairing daily function. The most common symptom of dementia caused […]
What is Alzheimer disease?
Alzheimer disease (AD) refers to slowly progressive loss of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. Symptoms of the illness usually unfold slowly over a period of years. Neurons involved in memory and thinking are affected first, while movement and sensation are only affected in the very late stages. Several different forms of Alzheimer disease have […]
What is mild cognitive impairment?
Alzheimer disease (AD) refers to slowly progressive loss of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. Symptoms of the illness usually unfold slowly over a period of years. Neurons involved in memory and thinking are affected first, while movement and sensation are only affected in the very late stages. Several different forms of Alzheimer disease have […]