Two main types of medication are prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease: those that help manage symptoms and those that may slow disease progression. “But neither type reverses the damage that’s already done,” says Jeremy Koppel, MD, a geriatric psychiatrist at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, New York, and member of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Medical, Scientific, and Memory Screening Advisory Board.
Symptom-managing medications, including cholinesterase inhibitors, glutamate regulators, and combination therapy, have been used to treat Alzheimer’s disease for many years. They don’t affect the underlying disease, but they may help improve memory, thinking, day-to-day functioning, and alertness for a period of time. Dr. Koppel compares them to “tuning a radio to make the signal clearer.” They help the brain’s remaining nerve cells communicate better, making it easier to think and remember.
Newer, disease-modifying treatments, known as anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies, are designed to help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in some people. They work by targeting beta-amyloid, a protein that can build up in the brain and is thought to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
If you’re also experiencing other issues that often co-occur with Alzheimer’s, such as agitation, anxiety, depression, or sleep problems, your healthcare provider may recommend additional medications. These treatments are aimed at managing specific issues and improving quality of life, not treating Alzheimer’s disease itself. Experts generally recommend trying nondrug approaches first, whenever possible.
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