Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that affects over 5 million older Americans, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Symptoms of Alzheimer's include confusion and memory loss beyond what is typically expected as the brain ages. Although scientists do not know for sure what causes the large amount of nerve cell damage in Alzheimer's-affected brains, they suspect that an overabundance of "plaques" and "tangles" may be to blame. Plaques and tangles are bunches of proteins that may interfere with the way nerve cells communicate in the brain. Treatments exist that can help patients manage symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Treatment of Cognitive Symptoms
Cholinesterase inhibitors are FDA-approved drugs that work by increasing the amount of a chemical called acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine helps nerves function properly, but in patients with Alzheimer's disease there is much less of it. The American Health Assistance Foundation lists four cholinesterase drugs used to treat Alzheimer's: galantamine, rivastigmine, tacrine and donepezil. Donepezil can also be used for severe symptoms, and some early research, according to the American Health Assistance Foundation, shows that the drug may also slow the progression of the disease. Common side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Like donepezil, memantine can treat more-severe cases of Alzheimer's. The drug may protect nerve cells by interfering with the amount of a chemical called glutamate. Alzhiemer's-damaged cells send out large quantities of glutamate that lock on to healthy nerve cells and result in more damaged cells. Common side effects include dizziness and constipation.
Treatment of Behavioral and Psychiatric Symptoms
The effects of Alzheimer's disease extend beyond cognition to affect the patient's behaviors and feelings. The Alzheimer's Association recommends first trying a "non-drug approach" to treat certain actions such as outbursts, restlessness and even hallucinations. They suggest monitoring the patient's environment to make sure it's secure (safety locks on doors), comfortable (quiet, not too cold) and not overly stimulating. Responding to an Alzheimer's patient's feelings whether they are in the moment or not will prevent unnecessary distress. If non-drug methods are unsuccessful anti-depressant, anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic medications may be needed.
Alternative Treatments
According to the Alzheimer's Association, most alternative treatments have not been subjected to enough clinical study to know whether they show any promise. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and some nuts, may be an exception. The Alzheimer's Association cites research showing that omega-3 increases the number of healthy connections between nerves. According to the American Health Assistance Foundation, clinical trials are testing whether omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's. Before taking omega-3 fatty acids or other alternative therapies such as antioxidants or ginkgo biloba, consult a medical professional.
