Treatment and Medication Options for Alzheimer’s Disease
While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, certain treatments can slow cognitive decline for a limited time, help manage behavioral symptoms, and provide relief for symptoms like anxiety and depression.
Disease-Modifying Drugs
Two drugs, lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla), address the underlying biology of the disease by removing beta-amyloid clumps from the brain. The drugs are approved by the FDA and have been shown to slow the progression of cognitive decline when they’re started in early-stage Alzheimer’s. Both can cause brain swelling and bleeding as a side effect.
Medications for Symptoms
A number of other drugs are approved to treat cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. These drugs are believed to work by altering levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. These include:
- Donepezil (Aricept)
- Galantamine (Razadyne)
- Benzgalantamine (Zunveyl)
- Memantine (Namenda)
- Rivastigmine (Exelon)
- Donepezil and memantine (Namzaric)
Doctors may also prescribe drugs for people experiencing behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s, targeting conditions such as depression, aggression, restlessness, and anxiety.
The drug brexpiprazole (Rexulti) is approved to treat agitation in Alzheimer’s, and the drug suvorexant (Belsomra) is approved to treat insomnia in people with Alzheimer’s.
Research efforts on new Alzheimer’s treatments have been frustrating, with promising drug candidates often failing in clinical trials.
But scientists are continuing to explore new interventions.
Nondrug Approaches
Whether or not a person with Alzheimer’s is being treated with medications, they can generally benefit physically and mentally from involvement in support groups, social outings geared toward people with dementia, and activities like dancing that combine social, mental, and physical engagement. In earlier stages of the disease, meeting with a psychotherapist may be helpful for coming to terms with the diagnosis and improving coping skills.
Complementary Treatments
Despite the growing number of herbal remedies, dietary supplements, and “medical foods” aimed at people with Alzheimer’s, there is no scientific proof that any of these products work.
For instance, some people with Alzheimer’s disease consume coconut oil based on the theory that the caprylic acid in the oil can provide energy to brain cells that are no longer able to metabolize glucose. But there has been no research confirming that this helps cognition.
There is evidence, though, that following an overall healthy diet may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.