[Current therapeutic approach in patients with Alzheimer disease]

Recenti Prog Med. 2007 May;98(5):293-301.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

Even if a complete recovery is not an available outcome for Alzheimer disease, it is possibile to improve the clinical symptoms (selfsufficiency, cognitive impairment and behavioral disturbances) with pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. The treatment of the patient with dementia is a complex one, that cannot rely only on the use of drugs but needs of a global approach that take into account all the different aspect of the disease. The most used drugs are the cholinesterase inhibitors that have been shown to stabilize or slow down cognitive and functional decline and retard institutionalization, but new treatments are on the way. Extremely important is a strong alliance with the family. Non pharmacological cognitive rehabilitation techniques are also useful in potentiating residual cognitive functions in the patient and in supporting the family and the caregivers.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease / therapy*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Humans

Substances

  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors