Management of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive degeneration of neuronal function. Memory loss and dementia are caused by Alzheimer’s disease. The condition primarily affects older adults, increasing with age over 65 years. Women are more likely to experience Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, in part due to the longer life expectancy of women than men. The condition progresses over time, beginning with signs of memory loss and changes in personality, and progressing to diminished physical abilities and communication skills. Signs of memory loss include repeating the same questions, misplacing items, and forgetting names of family members.

Persons with Alzheimer’s are encouraged to engage in a daily exercise plan to maintain overall health and well-being. Cholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil (Aricept) and galantamine (Razadyne), work to improve the levels of acetylcholine in the brain, thereby working to improve cognitive functioning. Memantine (Namenda) is classified as a NMDA receptor antagonist, which works to decrease the amount of glutamate in the brain. Glutamate is a substance that, in excess, can have a negative impact on the progression of Alzheimer’s. Memantine may be prescribed in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor.


More information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer





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