1. Reduce Free Radicals With Antioxidants
Patients with Alzheimer's disease are especially prone to the harmful effects of free radicals, which can harm healthy brain cells. You'll hear doctors debate the most effective ways to inhibit free radicals, with some studies suggesting that vitamin E may counteract the oxidant stress they cause. Your doctor, though, is more likely to turn to synthetic antioxidant drugs to try to stop the action of free radicals in the brain.
2. Block NMDA Receptors With Memantine
If the Alzheimer's patient in your life has a case that is considered moderate or worse, memantine may be introduced to the treatment regimen. The brain produces a chemical called glutamate that interacts with NMDA receptors, which can trigger cognitive decay if overstimulation occurs. Memantime blocks glutamate from connecting with NMDA receptors, which helps patients slow the process of mental deterioration.
3. Use Cholinesterase Inhibitors to Improve Memory
As you research the symptoms and progression of Alzheimer's disease, you'll encounter discussions about a brain chemical called acetylcholine. This vital substance is responsible for the transmission of messages within the brain, and strongly affects memory and cognitive ability. Alzheimer's patients have very low acetylcholine levels, and drugs known as cholinesterase inhibitors block the production of enzymes that reduce the activity of acetylcholine.
4. Treat Behavioral and Emotional Symptoms
You'll find that Alzheimer's patients develop a range of behavioral abnormalities as the disease worsens, including bouts of anger, auditory, and visual hallucinations and delusions. If the side effects of the antipsychotic or neuroleptic drugs used to manage these symptoms are preferable to the symptoms themselves, your doctor may choose to introduce one of these drugs to the patient's treatment program.
Anxiolytic or antidepressant drugs may also be given to patients with early onset or moderate Alzheimer's, which can trigger feelings of anxiety and depression. Your doctor may be wary about prescribing these drugs, though, since they've been shown to increase certain Alzheimer's symptoms, including nausea and insomnia, in some patients.
5. Prepare for Ongoing Challenges
The best thing you can do is educate yourself, so that you're better prepared to manage the challenges that will arise as the disease progresses. You can also take advantage of community resources, such as support groups and day programs for Alzheimer's patients, so that you don't have to tackle this difficult fight on your own.
