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Alzheimer's disease

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Highlights

Drug Name Change

Galantamine’s brand name is now Razadyne. In 2005, the manufacturer changed the name from Reminyl to avoid confusion with other drugs. Razadyne is indicated for treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

Drug Research

• Memantine (Namenda) is safe and helps in the treatment of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease, according to a 2006 study in the Archives of Neurology . Memantine is currently the only drug approved for treatment of the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Newer antipsychotic drugs (aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone) may not be safer than older antipsychotic drugs (haloperidol and chlorpromazine). According to a review in the Journal of the American Medical Association , newer antipsychotic drugs may slightly increase the risk of death in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Patients who take high blood pressure drugs may have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, suggests a 2006 study in the Archives of Neurology . Researchers found that potassium-sparing diuretics offered the most protection. Beta-blockers and some types of calcium channel blockers were somewhat helpful, but ACE inhibitors had no effect on risk.
• A 2006 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that there are no differences in treatment between placebo and Zyprexa, Seroquel, and Risperdal, antipsychotic drugs used to calm agitation in people with Alzheimer's.

Diet

The heart-protective Mediterranean diet may also help the brain. A 2006 study found that people who strictly followed the eating plan had a 40% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than people who ate a typical American diet. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fish, fruits, vegetables, and monounsaturated fats such as olive and canola oils.

Exercise

Older adults who exercise at least three times a week might cut their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 30 - 40%, suggests a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine . Patients in the study engaged in exercises that included walking, hiking, aerobics, swimming, and weight training.

• Review Date: 5/22/2006
• Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

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