Quick Start: Future Treatments of Memory Loss, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia Symptomatic and disease-modifying treatment Alzheimer’s disease can be treated either to improve symptoms and function or to slow disease progression. Symptomatic treatments work by altering neurotransmitter function. Disease-modifying treatments…
Quick Start: Nonpharmacological Treatment of Memory Loss, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Dementia Nonpharmacological treatments to help memory loss can improve function equal to or greater than medication. External memory aids such as calendars, lists, and whiteboards can be helpful in keeping…
Quick Start: Vitamins, Herbs, Supplements, and Antiinflammatories Vitamin D: Increased risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease has been observed in those with vitamin D deficiency. We recommend vitamin D supplementation for our patients with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin E:…
Quick Start: Memantine Mechanism of action and cognitive benefit Memantine (generic and Namenda extended-release [XR]) has two mechanisms of action: (1) modulating glutamate and (2) enhancing dopamine transmission. It improves attention, alertness, apathy, and global functioning. Indications and recommendations Memantine…
Quick Start: Cholinesterase Inhibitors Mechanism of action and cognitive benefit Cholinesterase inhibitors increase the concentration of acetylcholine at the synapse and improve memory, attention, mood, and behavior. Cholinesterase inhibitors are efficacious and well tolerated. Indications and recommendations For Alzheimer’s disease…
Quick Start: Goals for the Treatment of Memory Loss, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Dementia Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of memory loss and dementia is best carried out in a partnership between patient, caregiver, and clinician. Current FDA approved…
Quick Start: Other Disorders that Cause Memory Loss or Dementia Depression and anxiety Although depression and/or anxiety may cause memory loss, many patients with memory loss and depression and/or anxiety have mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease. Medication side effects…
Quick Start: Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease Definition Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) is one of several prion transmissible neurodegenerative diseases characterized by a rapid cognitive decline that can progress to akinetic mutism over weeks. Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease is the most common type of prion disease;…
Quick Start: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Definition and etiology Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with repetitive brain trauma. Pathology includes perivascular tau deposition. Cognitive and behavioral symptoms, in order of prevalence at presentation Memory impairment Executive dysfunction…
Quick Start: Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Definition Normal pressure hydrocephalus (often referred to as NPH) is a relatively rare disorder characterized by enlargement of the ventricles, a gait disorder, cognitive impairment, and incontinence. It is thought to result from low-grade scarring…