A cure for Alzheimer’s disease is currently not possible. Drugs can treat associated symptoms, and cause a slight alleviation of the symptoms.
Currently approved for the treatment some medicines are in use – known as anti-dementia drugs – which soften the course, or slow down and should improve cognitive abilities and are recommended for mild to moderate dementia. These include the three acetylcholinesterase inhibitors donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine, which slow the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain. The signal transmission between nerve cells should be improved through them. Another drug – memantine – acts on the glutamate transmission. It prevents nervous overstimulation by the neurotransmitter glutamate, which causes damage to the nerve cells in high doses and makes them perish.
Since behavioral disturbances in dementia may occur, there is the possibility for the drug treatment of mental concomitant symptoms, such as Depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, insomnia, restlessness, hallucinations, delusional ideas or persecution. Antidepressants, antipsychotics and sedatives can come into use here.
Anti-dementia drugs and drugs for the treatment of behavioral disorders can be used in combination.