Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and ultimately fatal brain disorder characterized by the destruction of brain cells. More than 5 million Americans are living with the disease that negatively affects memory, thinking, behavior and the ability to perform daily functions, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, there are several types of medications available to delay or prevent the progression of the disease as well as to control the behavioral effects often associated with it.
Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Cholinesterase inhibitors are a class of drugs designed as treatment for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The drugs increase acetylcholine levels in the brain by preventing their breakdown by the enzyme cholinesterase. Alzheimer's disease patients have been shown to have decreased levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory and thinking. Thus, cholinesterase inhibitors delay progression of the disease an average of six to 12 months in half of individuals taking the medication, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
NMDA Antagonists
Another culprit in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease is the neurotransmitter glutamate, which plays a role in learning and memory. Alzheimer's disease patients exhibit excess levels of glutamate which is damaging to nerve cells, and results in cell death. NMDA antagonists are designed to regulate glutamate levels by blocking glutamate receptors (NMDA receptors) and thus preventing the excitotoxicity associated with excess glutamate activity. Only one NMDA antagonist is currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, as of 2010. Since NMDA antagonists and cholinesterase inhibitors act on different neurotransmitters, they can and often are used in combination to delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Vitamin E
Some evidence exists for the use of high dose Vitamin E supplements as a way to delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease. It is believed Vitamin E's antioxidant properties are beneficial in preventing the destruction of brain cells characterized by Alzheimer's patients. However, conflicting evidence exists and ongoing research in needed to further assess the benefit of Vitamin E as a treatment option for individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
Behavioral & Psychiatric
Apart from treatment aimed at chemical imbalances in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, many drugs are also prescribed to treat the behavioral and psychiatric conditions brought about by the disease. Antidepressant, anxiolytics and antipsychotic medications are the most commonly prescribed types of drugs for Alzheimer's patients. Depression and anxiety are common in individuals at various stages of the disease as they battle the loss of function in performing daily tasks and declines in memory and thinking. Antipsychotics are often prescribed to treat hallucinations and delusions sometimes experienced in later stages of the disease as well as to control any aggression, hostility or agitation commonly exhibited by individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
