Treatments

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias, but researchers have developed 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.

Anti-Alzheimer's drugs

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

• For mild to moderate stages of Alzheimer's, three drugs are sold under the names Aricept (donepezil), Exelon (rivastigmine) and Reminyl (galantamine). Around half of patients see modest benefits for a period including stabilisation of memory loss. These drugs are known as cholinesterase inhibitors as they work by blocking the breakdown of a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine, which is produced by nerve cells damaged in Alzheimer's. People with mixed vascular and Alzheimer's disease or Lewy Body disease may also benefit from these drugs.
• For moderately severe to severe Alzheimer's, a drug is sold under the name Ebixa (memantine). This is the first in a class of drugs called NMDA receptor antagonists. It blocks the effects of an essential brain chemical called glutamate. Glutamate can be released in excessive amounts in Alzheimer's, which can damage nerve cells.

Antidepressants

Depression is common in all forms of dementia. Antidepressants can improve quality of life and temporarily help with memory loss. As well as improving a persistent low mood, the drugs can control the mood swings and irritability that sometimes occur in dementia patients.

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 Lewy Body disease 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/ anxiolytics/ benzodiazepines

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.

Sleeping drugs/ hypnotics

These can help people with all forms of dementia who experience problems sleeping.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs)/ hypotensives/ statins

Some people with vascular dementia are prescribed one or a combination of these drugs to reduce the risk of further strokes and vascular damage occurring. It is very important that such treatments are only embarked upon on medical advice since there can be dangerous side-effects. More research is needed in this area and it is not safe to take these drugs without the prior recommendation and continued monitoring from the patient's doctor.

Non-drug treatments for dementia

Non-drug therapies can be very helpful for people with dementia, including: psychological methods to help with behavioural problems; nutritional improvements; occupational activities, such as music therapy, massage, aromatherapy or acupuncture. 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 more 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.