There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, however there are treatments that can temporarily slow the progression of the disease and help manage symptoms.
1.Cholinesterase inhibitors: Aricept, Razadyne ER, and Exelon.
·The mainstay of medical treatment for Alzheimer’s disease is cholinesterase inhibitors, which are drugs that work to increase levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. These drugs can help with memory, communication, and other cognitive symptoms.
·Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is important for memory and thinking (National Institute on Aging, 2021).
2. Disease Modifying Medication: Aducanumab (a human antibody/ immunotherapy)
·These drugs target the underlying causes of a disease, the protein beta-amyloid and helps to reduce amyloid plaques (National Institute on Aging, 2021).
3. N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist: memantine
·Memantine is prescribed for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. It reduce severity of symptoms hence enable patients to maintain activities of daily living. It regulates glutamate.
4. NMDA antagonist and cholinesterase inhibitor: combination of memantine and donepezil
·Treats moderate to severe Alzheimer’s
·Blocks the toxic effects associated with excess glutamate and prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain
