Please note: This slide show is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Can Alzheimer's disease be cured? How is Alzheimer's disease treated?
Alzheimer's disease currently cannot be cured. Medications may help reduce symptoms and slow memory loss. Treatments that don't use medication may also help.
What medications are used to treat Alzheimer's disease? – Medications for memory loss: Cholinesterase inhibitors
One group of medications for Alzheimer's disease (called cholinesterase inhibitors) work by increasing the level of a brain chemical, acetylcholine, that is believed to help with memory and thinking.
Three medications that work in this way have been approved to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: rivastigmine, galantamine, and donepezil. Donepezil is also approved to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's.
Cholinesterase inhibitor side effects
One or two out of every 10 people who take these medications may find that the drug causes nausea and vomiting. Other side effects may include loss of appetite, diarrhea, and slowed heart rate.
What medications are used to treat Alzheimer's disease? – Medications for memory loss: Memantine
One medication, memantine, is approved to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease in combination with donepezil. Memantine may help some people with Alzheimer's disease keep doing some daily activities, such as going to the bathroom on their own, longer than they otherwise would.
What medications are used to treat Alzheimer's disease? – Medications for memory loss: Memantine
Memantine works in a different way than other medications for Alzheimer's disease. People with Alzheimer's disease may have too much of a chemical called glutamate in the brain. Too much glutamate can kill brain cells. Memantine works by keeping the amount of glutamate in the brain under control.
Memantine side effects
The most common side effects of memantine are dizziness, headaches, confusion, diarrhea, and constipation. Other side effects may include pain, gaining weight, feeling tired, and seeing or hearing things that aren't real.
What medications are used to treat Alzheimer's disease? – Memantine and donepezil combination
Because memantine works in a different way than other medications for Alzheimer's disease, doctors may prescribe it in combination with another medication, donepezil. Taking two drugs may relieve Alzheimer's symptoms for longer than taking just one.
How effective are medications for Alzheimer's disease?
Medications for Alzheimer's disease don't work for everyone. Some people may do better on one drug than on another. So if one drug doesn't seem to help, the doctor may suggest switching to a different one.
What other medications may be prescribed for Alzheimer's disease? – Medications for behavioral symptoms
People with Alzheimer's disease may feel depressed, anxious, or agitated. The doctor may prescribe medications to treat these symptoms. These drugs can cause serious side effects such as mood swings, dizziness, and stroke. To avoid these side effects, it's best to take these drugs in low doses and for a short time.
What non-drug treatments are used for Alzheimer's disease?
Treatments that don't use medication can help people with Alzheimer's disease sleep better, feel calmer and happier, and possibly keep doing daily activities for longer.
Adjusting lighting can improve sleep
Listening to favorite music may also help
Looking at photos and talking about past life events may improve mood
What non-drug treatments are used for Alzheimer's disease?
Playing games, doing puzzles, and using a calendar can improve alertness.
Being physically active can help improve attention, memory, speech, and other mental skills.
Brain exercises done with a small group of people may improve mood and slow the loss of mental skills.
What is active management of Alzheimer's disease?
Active management means managing the symptoms and behavior caused by Alzheimer's disease in several different ways. Studies show that active management helps both people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers feel better and get more out of life.
What is active management of Alzheimer's disease?
Active management of Alzheimer's disease includes
Prescribing medication to help with symptoms such as memory loss.
Treating other illnesses that a person with Alzheimer's disease may have.
Supporting and training caregivers to help them better manage daily care for the person with Alzheimer's disease.
What is active management of Alzheimer's disease?
Active management also includes
Trying to keep everyone involved in caring for the person with Alzheimer's disease – like doctors, therapists, and caregivers – "on the same page."
Helping the person with Alzheimer's disease connect with other people and remain as active as possible in activities that have meaning for them.
What is the outlook for my loved one with Alzheimer's disease?
As yet, no treatments for Alzheimer's disease can stop the disease from getting worse over time. On average, people with Alzheimer's disease may live with the disease for between three and 11 years.
Is a clinical trial right for my loved one with Alzheimer's disease?
New treatments for Alzheimer's disease are being studied in clinical trials. Ask your doctor if your loved one might benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial.
What questions should I ask the doctor?
As a caregiver for a person with Alzheimer's disease, you may have many questions. If it's hard to know where to start, try asking a family member or friend to help you make a list of questions.
If you wish, use the following questions as a starting point. Feel free to add your own questions to this list.
What questions should I ask the doctor?
How sure are you that my loved one has Alzheimer's disease?
How and when will we know if the treatment you have prescribed is working?
What are the next steps if this treatment doesn't help?
Will medications for Alzheimer's disease interfere with other medications that my loved one takes?
What questions should I ask the doctor?
What side effects should I watch for?
When should I call you?
How can I make our home safe and comfortable for my loved one with Alzheimer's?
Where can I get help and support in caring for my loved one with Alzheimer's disease at home?
How can I make the best decisions for myself and my loved one with Alzheimer's disease?
Discuss all of your treatment options and questions with your doctor and healthcare team. This will help you make decisions that are right for you and your loved one. If there's anything you don't understand, ask to have it explained.
References
National Institute on Aging. How Is Alzheimer's Disease Treated? Reviewed 4/1/2018. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/how-alzheimers-disease-treated
Alzheimer's Association. 2020 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf
Kuns B, Rosani A, Varghese D. Memantine. Updated 2020 Jul 10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500025/
Watt JA, Goodarzi Z, Veroniki AA, Nincic V, Khan PA, Ghassemi M, et al. Comparative efficacy of interventions for aggressive and agitated behaviors in dementia. Ann Internal Med. 2019 Nov 5;171(9):633-642. doi:10.7326/M19-0993
Groot C, Hooghiemstra AM, Raijmakers PG, et al. The effect of physical activity on cognitive function in patients with dementia: A meta-analysis of randomized control trials. Ageing Res Rev. 2016;25:13-23. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2015.11.005
FitMinds.ca. What is cognitive stimulation therapy? Why does it work? https://fitminds.ca/cognitive-stimulation-therapy-what-is-cognitive-stimulation-therapy-why-does-it-work/
Berg-Weger M. Non-Pharmacologic Interventions for Persons with Dementia. Mo Med. 2017 Mar-Apr;114(2):116-119.
MayoClinic.org. Alzheimer's stages: How the disease progresses. 2019 Apr 19. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers-stages/art-20048448
Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation. The 10 Best Questions for Living with Alzheimer's. 2011 July 27. https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/10-best-questions/
MedlinePlus.gov. Dementia - what to ask your doctor. Reviewed 10/13/2018. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000216.htm
Alzheimer's Association. Questions for Your Doctor. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/treatments/questions-for-your-doctor
Slide Show - Managing and Treating Alzheimer's Disease
This slide show explains management and treatment options for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease currently cannot be cured, but drugs and other treatments can help reduce symptoms, slow memory loss, and improvequality of life. This slide show describes medications for memory loss and medications for behavioral symptoms. It also describes non-drug treatments that can help people with Alzheimer's disease sleep better, feel calmer and happier, and possibly keep doing daily activities for longer. Discuss all your treatment options and questions with your doctor and healthcare team. This will help you make decisions that are right for you and your loved one. If there is anything you don't understand, ask to have it explained.
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Jointly provided by the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower and Prime Medic Inc., in collaboration with Postgraduate Institute for Medicine.
This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Biogen Idec.
This website is part of the Animated Patient™ series developed by Prime Medic Inc., to provide highly visual formats of learning for patients to improve their understanding, make informed decisions, and partner with their healthcare professionals for optimal outcomes.
