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Understanding the Latest Advances in Pharmacologic Interventions for Alzheimer's Disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Christopher H. van Dyck
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Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex medical condition involving abnormalities in multiple biological and environmental domains. Current knowledge suggests that simultaneous intervention in these domains may be the most effective way to help AD patients and their families. Treatments for AD are centered on the inhibition of enzymes responsible for the degradation of acetylcholine—a neurotransmitter that is reduced in AD patients. Four cholinesterase inhibitors have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, three of which are routinely used for the symptomatic treatment of mild-to-moderate AD. Strategies will be reviewed with regard to cognitive, functional, and behavioral domains. Providing a different treatment option for patients with AD, memantine is a low-to-moderate affinity, uncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that has been approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD. The clinical efficacy and tolerability of memantine monotherapy and combination therapy in patients with AD will be presented. Finally, the role of non-pharmacologic intervention will be discussed.

Type
Academic Supplement
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 9 , Issue S5: Assessing Current Practice in Alzheimer's Disease , July 2004 , pp. 24 - 28
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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