"Framework of treating Alzheimer’s dementia" by Yuan-Han Yang, Rajka Liscic et al.

Article Title

Framework of treating Alzheimer’s dementia

Authors

Yuan-Han Yang, Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Taiwan, China Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, China Neuroscience Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, China
Rajka Liscic, Department of Neurology, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria
Jacqueline Dominguez, Institute for Neurosciences, St. Luke's Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines

Keywords

donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, memantine, Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Current treatment paradigm in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves multiple approaches combining pharmacological and non- pharmacological intervention to mitigate the clinical symptoms, slow the progressive loss of cognitive and functional abilities, or modify the disease course. So far, beyond anti-cholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs), donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor, there are no newly approved medicines to treat AD. Under pharmacological treatment, the personal characteristic and the intra-individual therapeutic evaluations to examine various cognitive domains, behavioral and psychological problems, and global function should be considered when choosing any of AChEIs. The use of optimal dosage referring to the expected clinical outcomes and currently reported deficits from patient with AD has become an important issue in clinical treatment. Establishing and maintaining a strong therapeutic alliance to physician, patient, and caregiver is crucial and central to the comprehensive care in AD.