Treatment for Alzheimer's disease

(it is a terminal disease)

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Alzheimer's is a terminal disease. This means it has no cure and will end in death. However, there are various medications which can help slow down the progression of the disease, and others that can improve the signs and symptoms, such as sleeplessness, wandering, depression, anxiety and agitation.

The doctor may prescribe the following medications to help slow down the disease:

Neurotransmitters - A neurotransmitter is a chemical that transmits neurologic information from one cell to another. Without neurotransmitters our nervous system, which includes the brain, would not work. We would be paralyzed, blind, with no thoughts, no movement - we would be dead.
Cholinesterase inhibitors

These improve the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. The medication contains a chemical that inhibits the cholinesterase enzyme from breaking down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine - resulting in an increase in both the neurotransmitter's level and duration of action.

Cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed to treat problems related to memory, thinking, language, judgment and other thought processes.

Clinical trials showed that about half of all patients did not get any benefit from this type of drug. Experts believe cholinesterase inhibitors may delay or slow worsening symptoms by about six to twelve months. However, some patients experience longer periods of delay.

Examples of cholinesterase inhibitors include:
donepezil (Aricept) - approved in the USA to treat all stages.
galantamine (Razadyne) - approved in the USA to treat mild to moderate stages.
rivastigmine (Exelon) - approved in the USA to treat mild to moderate stages.
Cholinesterase inhibitors are generally well tolerated (side effects minimal).
Side effects may include:
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite

Memantine
This medication protects brain cells from damage caused by glutamate, a chemical messenger. It is used to treat moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer's. Some doctors prescribe memantine along with a cholinesterase inhibitor. Examples include Axura, Akatinol, Namenda, Ebixa and Abixa, and Memox. Memantine is prescribed to improve memory, language, reason, attention, and the ability to carry out simple tasks. A clinical trial showed that patients taking memantine showed a small, but statistically significant improvement in mental function and their ability to carry out daily activities. Memantine is generally well tolerated (minimal side effects)
Side effects include:
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Headache
Insomnia
Constipation
Agitation and delusional behavior in some patients.

ACE Inhibitors - researchers from the Wake Forest School of Medicine found that ACE inhibitors that affect the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier, may reduce inflammation that could contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Stem cells - scientists at UC Irvine showed that neural stem cells can rescue memory in mice with advanced Alzheimer's disease, raising hopes of a potential treatment for humans.

Insulin - Insulin could protect against damage to brain cells key to memory, according to researchers from Northwestern University in the US and the University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. They claim that treating Alzheimer's disease with insulin, or with drugs to boost its effect, may help people with the condition. ...http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Kids’ beverages target ‘all-natural’, ‘free-from’, immunity

All-natural, “free-from” ingredients perceived as unhealthy and ingredients that strengthen the immune system are the main trends in the kids’ beverages market, according to a New Nutrition Business report. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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