How is dementia treated?
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Dementia cannot always be treated, but there are a few medications that may be able to improve brain function and slow progression of the disorder in some cases. Chlorinesterase inhibitors like donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine can be used to increase levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, which may help improve neurological function in people with Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia. Memantine has shown promise in treating dementia as well, especially in Alzheimer's disease patients. If your dementia is caused by something like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you may be able to improve it by specifically treating those factors. The same can be said for causes that can be controlled. Medications such as antipsychotic drugs and anticonvulsants might be used to control the behavioral symptoms of dementia as well.
Dementia cannot always be treated, but there are a few medications that may be able to improve brain function and slow progression of the disorder in some cases. Chlorinesterase inhibitors like donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine can be used... More -
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered:Some dementias are caused by treatable medical conditions. When doctors treat the underlying condition the patient's mental function may be restored. Most dementias cannot be reversed, though, and in these cases doctors' goal in treatment is to improve symptoms. Symptoms are sometimes alleviated by medications including:
- Antidepressants for patients whose dementia is accompanied by depressive symptoms.
- Cholinesterase inhibitors, medications used for Alzheimer's disease, which increase the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
- Parkinson's disease medications, which can help reduce Parkinson's-like symptoms in some patients with Lewy body dementia.
- Antipsychotic medications, which can alleviate delusions and hallucinations in some dementia patients.
Some dementias are caused by treatable medical conditions. When doctors treat the underlying condition the patient's mental function may be restored. Most dementias cannot be reversed, though, and in these cases doctors' goal in treatment is to... More
