Even when diagnosed with relative certainty, Alzheimer's disease cannot be entirely cured. But steps can be taken to slow the progress of the disorder. Here's how:
Basic understanding of the brain changes in Alzheimer's disease has been greatly aided by MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and PET (positron emission tomography) scanning. However, the cause of the disease is not yet clear. Arguments have been advanced for genetic, environmental, viral, neurochemical and immunological causes. For years, investigators have known that there is a genetic connection in some cases of the disease, viz., an abnormality on Chromosome 21, which results in Down's Syndrome (characterized basically by mental retardation and retarded growth). In such cases, children with Down's Syndrome who live into their thirties and forties manifest Alzheimer changes in their brains.
Though there is no way of preventing or curing Alzheimer's disease, treatments are being explored include drugs to correct neurochemical imbalances. In 1993, Tacrine was approved as an acceptable treatment for Alzheimer's, and is now available by prescription from a doctor in certain parts of the world. The medication requires blood tests every alternate week for the first eighteen weeks of the drug use to check for liver inflammation, a common side effect.
Other drugs include hormones like DHEA and estrogen, and anti-inflammatory medications like prednisone. These drugs attempt to treat entirely different possible causes of the disease. The patient will need good medical follow-up throughout the course of the disease. If he experiences delusions or great psychological stress, careful use of drugs to treat these symptoms may be indicated.
There are current experimental drug trials attempting to treat agitated behavior of these patients using both pharmacological and behavioral approaches. Some researchers are investigating repairing or augmenting damaged nerves through application of the nerve growth factor or neural tissue transplants, but this approach remains highly experimental.
For more information on Alzheimer's ask our doctor.
This site is educative not prescriptive. Always consult doctor before treatment.
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