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Updated on April 7, 2025
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes memory loss, problems with thinking, and changes to behavior and personality. Early-stage Alzheimer's disease refers to mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia caused by this disorder.
A person with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) will have problems with memory and thinking that are greater than expected compared with other people their age. A person may misplace objects, forget appointments, or have difficulty remembering words. But these changes in thinking and memory will not interfere with a person’s ability to function or remain independent.
A person with mild dementia will have problems with changes to memory and thinking that will impact some daily activities, such as difficulty remembering recent events, finding their way around, and organizing thoughts
How is Alzheimer’s disease treated?
It's recommended that a person with early Alzheimer's disease begin treatment as soon as possible. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but treatment can help ease symptoms, improve a person’s quality of life, and may help delay the progression of the disease. For early Alzheimer’s disease, disease-modifying therapies may be a treatment option.
A treatment plan for early-stage Alzheimer's can include:
- Medications to manage symptoms. Cholinesterase inhibitors are a standard treatment in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. These are medications that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) in the brain that plays an important role in memory and thinking.
- Disease-modifying therapies. These are newer medications that help slow disease progression and tend to work best in people with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia. These medications target protein deposits in the brain (amyloid plaques) that build up and disrupt brain function.
- Therapies for co-existing conditions. Many people with Alzheimer's disease also have other health conditions that need treatment, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity.
- Lifestyle changes. Regular physical activity, a healthy diet, activities that provide mental stimulation (such as puzzles), and social engagement may enhance the effectiveness of other treatments.
- Supportive therapies. This can include counseling with a mental health professional or joining support groups where you can connect with others living with Alzheimer's disease.
All of these are topics that should be discussed with a healthcare provider. For example, it's always a good idea to discuss diet and exercise habits with a healthcare provider before making any significant changes.
What do you need to consider when making treatment decisions?
Medications are the main treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, and a person will need to work with their healthcare team to determine what medications to use. The potential benefits of a medication will need to be balanced against other factors like the risk of side effects, insurance coverage, and a person’s goals.
Here are some topics that will need to be considered when making decisions about treatment:
- Benefits and side effects. Disease-modifying therapies have the potential to cause serious side effects, including swelling in the brain and brain bleeds. The risk of these side effects should be discussed with a healthcare provider. The potential benefits of these drugs should also be discussed.
- Results of genetic tests. People who have a type of gene called APOE e4 are at a higher risk of serious side effects from disease-modifying therapies. Genetic testing can check for this gene.
- Results of MRIs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests will be needed prior to starting a disease-modifying therapy. MRIs will also be needed to monitor for complications if a person is being treated with one of these therapies.
- Results of tests that measure amyloids. Imaging tests called positron emission tomography (PET) scans and blood tests may be used to measure amyloid deposits.
- Coexisting health conditions. Cardiovascular disease and diabetes increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and are associated with faster progression. Many people with Alzheimer's disease will be taking medications to manage these conditions and will need a treatment plan that addresses these conditions.
- Cost. Insurance coverage and the out-of-pocket expenses of a treatment are important factors to consider when making treatment decisions about any health condition.
- Accessibility. How a medication is administered is another important consideration. Disease-modifying therapies are administered with intravenous infusions that need to be given every 2 to 4 weeks. This can affect treatment decisions, especially for people with limited transportation options or those who live far from infusion centers.
- Goals, priorities, and preferences. Your goals, priorities, and preferences should also be taken into consideration, and are important topics to discuss with family and loved ones as well as healthcare providers.
