And can Alzheimer’s be prevented?
There is currently no cure for this condition.
However, scientists and researchers worldwide continue to work tirelessly to find a cure.
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This article covers what Alzheimer’s disease is and whether it can be cured.
It’s a progressive disease which means that it worsens over time.
Together, these are known asplaques and tangles.
This buildup leads to the death of nerve cells in the brain, which in turn causes cognitive decline.
They also tend to evolve as the disease progresses.
Alzheimer’s is a common and insidious disease that devastates patients and their families in slow motion.
How Is Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosed?
Your doctor will order blood work, urine, and other tests to look for any abnormalities.
They’ll also attempt to eliminate any othermental healthor medical condition that could be responsible for your symptoms.
These drugs are believed to prevent the breakdown of a chemical messenger in the brain called acetylcholine.
This, in turn, is thought to help slow cognitive decline.
NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Memantineis the only NMDA receptor antagonist prescribed for treating symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
It is typically prescribed for people who have moderate or severe forms of Alzheimer’s disease.
It can be prescribed with cholinesterase inhibitors to treat these cases effectively.
Memantine helps decrease the severity of the cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s thought to work by regulating a chemical messenger in the brain called glutamate.
Excess glutamate in the brain can accelerate neuron cell death.
Initial studies on its effectiveness were only done on people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease or mild symptoms.
Results from those studies came back with mixed results.
Due to disappointing results in the drug meeting its goals, it was discontinued in early 2024.
These drugs gained full FDA approval in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Side effects of these medications include allergic reactions, headaches, and an increased risk of falling.
Some of these treatments include:
Is There a Cure?
These are groundbreaking medications with impressive outcomes that give hope to those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition, which means its symptoms worsen over time.
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