Dementia is a condition that slowly affects memory, thinking, and everyday activities. The most common type is Alzheimer’s disease, but there are other forms too, like vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia.
While there is currently no cure, some medications can help slow down the symptoms and improve quality of life for a while. So which ones actually work, and how well do they help?
One of the most commonly used groups of medications is called cholinesterase inhibitors. These include donepezil (brand name Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne). They work by boosting levels of a brain chemical called acetylcholine, which helps with memory and thinking.
In people with Alzheimer’s disease and some other dementias, acetylcholine levels drop. By helping preserve this chemical, these medications can improve or stabilize symptoms for a while. Research has shown that donepezil, for example, can help maintain mental function for about 6 to 12 months in many patients, though not everyone responds in the same way.
Another medicine that may be used is memantine (brand name Namenda), which works differently. It helps control the activity of another brain chemical called glutamate, which can be too active in people with dementia and may cause damage to brain cells.
Memantine is often used in moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer’s disease and may be given alone or together with a cholinesterase inhibitor. Some studies have found that combining memantine with donepezil gives slightly better results than either drug alone in later stages of dementia.
More recently, there’s been growing interest in new drugs that target the buildup of harmful proteins in the brain. One such protein is amyloid, which forms sticky clumps known as plaques in people with Alzheimer’s. In 2021, the U.S. FDA approved a drug called aducanumab (Aduhelm) for early Alzheimer’s. This drug is designed to remove amyloid from the brain. However, its approval has been controversial. Some studies showed it reduced amyloid plaques, but the benefit in memory and thinking was small and debated among scientists. In 2023, another drug called lecanemab (Leqembi) was approved. Clinical trials showed that it slowed the rate of cognitive decline in people with early Alzheimer’s by about 27% over 18 months.
While this might sound small, it can mean more months of being able to do daily activities independently. These newer drugs must be given by infusion and can have serious side effects, such as brain swelling or bleeding, so they are used only in select cases.
It’s important to understand that these medications do not stop dementia. They slow down the worsening of symptoms for a period of time. Eventually, the disease continues to progress. However, even a modest delay can make a meaningful difference—giving people more time to stay independent and maintain their quality of life.
Non-drug approaches are also important. A combination of medication, regular mental and physical activity, healthy eating, social connection, and managing other health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes can help support brain health.
In summary, several medications can help slow the symptoms of dementia, especially in its early and middle stages. Donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and memantine are widely used and well-studied.
Newer drugs like lecanemab offer hope for further progress, though they are still being carefully monitored. While no treatment can stop dementia completely, these tools give doctors and families ways to manage the disease and support loved ones for longer.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and cranberries could help boost memory.
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