Cholinestertase Inhibitors
One type of medication to treat Alzheimer's disease works on acetylcholine, a chemical found in the brain. Acetylcholine is used by brain cells to communicate with each other and is thought to play an important role in memory and learning. It has been noted that people with Alzheimer's disease have lower levels of this chemical. Consequently, many doctors prescribe drugs known as acetylcholineesterase inhibitors to elevate acetylcholine levels. These medications, including Donepezil, Galantamine and Rivastigmine, slow the breakdown of acetylcholine. As a result, the acetylcholine is present longer in the brain and in higher amounts.
NMDA Antagonists
Another form of Alzheimer's medication works to slow the cell death that the disease causes. Alzheimer's causes brain cells to die more rapidly, possibly because of increased levels of a chemical called glutamate. When too much glutamate gets to a neuron, it causes calcium to rush in, which can be toxic to the cell. Memantine, a medication that is often prescribed for moderate and severe Alzheimer's patients, blocks the effects of glutamate by preventing it from binding to brain cells. Consequently, it slows the rate at which Alzheimer's disease damages and kills neurons.
Psychiatric Medications
A third class of medications for Alzheimer's does not aim to treat the disease but to alleviate some of the psychiatric and emotional symptoms. Patients with this disease may suffer from depression, anxiety or from psychotic symptoms, such as delusions, paranoia or hallucinations. A variety of psychiatric medications are used to treat these symptoms, including anti-depressants (such as Prozac or Zoloft), anti-anxiety medications (such as Ativan and Serax) and anti-psychotics (Abilify and Haldol). These medications work to reduce the strain that Alzheimer's causes on both patients and their caregivers.
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