Treatments

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias, but there are some treatments that can temporarily help with some of the symptoms patients experience. Queries about treatments should always initially be made with a patient's doctor - a GP or specialist such as an old age psychiatrist, neurologist or geriatrician.

The Alzheimer's Research Trust continues to fund cutting-edge research to find an answer to dementia.

Drugs to treat Alzheimer's

Four drugs are now licensed in the UK for the treatment of some symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

• People with mild to moderate Alzheimer's or vascular dementia may benfit from taking a cholinesterase inhibitor or ChEIs. There are three ChEIs; Aricept (donepezil), Exelon (rivastigmine) and Reminyl (galantamine). People with vascular dementia may also benefit from these drugs. People may find that these drugs improve in thinking, memory, communication or day-to-day activities. Others may find that their condition stays the same, when they would have expected to become less able with the progression of Alzheimer's. Some people may not notice any effects at all.
  
• People with moderate to severe Alzheimer's, may benefit from taking Ebixa (memantine). This could be an improvement in thinking, memory, communication or day-to-day activities. Others may find that their conditions stays the same, when they would have expected to become less able with the progression of Alzheimer's. Some people may not notice any effects at all.

Treatments for vascular dementia

Patients with vascular dementia may benefit from taking a ChEI. Two large studies have shown that Aricept can improve thinking skills and acvities of daily living in patients with mild to moderate vascular dementia.

Vascular dementia is linked to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart problems. A doctor may perscibe medication to treat these diseases in people with vascular dementia. It's possible that treating these conditions could help slow the progression of vascular dementia - although more research is needed in this area and studies are currently in progress.

A doctor may also advise taking up a healthier lifestyle by stopping smoking, taking regular exercise and eating healthily to help control these underlying conditions.

Antidepressants

Depression is common in all forms of dementia. An activity, exercise programme or psychological treatment may benefit people with depression in dementia.

A doctor may also persribe an antidepressant drug to improve quality of life and mood. There are different types, or classe of antidepressant; some are not suitable for people with dementia. A doctor will be able to assess if an antidepressant could help, and which type would be best.

Major tranquillisers/ antipsychotics/ neuroleptics

Short-term low doses are sometimes used to treat agitation, delusions, anxiety, hallucinations, sleep disturbance and aggressive behaviour. Although they are used to treat symptoms experienced by some people with Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and fronto-temporal dementia, these drugs can be dangerous for people with dementia with Lewy bodies and should be avoided.

These drugs should only be used as a last resort when non-drug methods have been tried and failed. They have significant side-effects and there is concern that long-term use could potentially accelerate Alzheimer's disease and the rate of decline in the patient. Treatment should be reviewed regularly and the dose reduced or the drug withdrawn if side-effects become unacceptable.

Anti-anxiety drugs

These drugs can help patients who are severely anxious, particularly when this hinders an individual's ability to communicate clearly or carry out normal tasks. They can also help with the hallucinations experienced by people with Lewy Body disease.

Non-drug treatments for dementia

Non-drug therapies can be very helpful for people with dementia, including: cognitive stimulation therapy; psychological methods to help with behavioural problems; nutritional improvements; occupational activities, such as music therapy or massage. An activity, hobby or regular exercise can help with the depression often experienced by people with dementia. Therapies introduced by a GP or specialist can help with the over-eating often exhibited in people with fronto-temporal dementia.

In general it is advisable to be sceptical of complementary therapies or supplements claiming to improve the memory or have a beneficial effect on Alzheimer's disease as none have yet been proven to prevent or treat dementia. If unsure, it is worth consulting a doctor.

For a free detailed fact sheet on the treatments available for dementia, please email your name and full postal address to enquiries@alzheimers-research.org.uk or phone us on 01223 843899.