Information for Patients & Caregivers Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | How is Alzheimer's disease treated? There are five medications approved by the FDA for symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. These medications (listed below) improve cognition somewhat but do not change the rate of decline of the disease. The major goal of Alzheimer's disease research is to find improved treatments for patients. DRUG ACTIVITY PROPOSED MECHANISM OF ACTION Cognex Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Increased levels of Acetylcholine Aricept Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Increased levels of Acetylcholine Exelon Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Increased levels of Acetylcholine Reminyl Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Increased levels of Acetylcholine Memantine NMDA Receptor Antagonist Reduced levels of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) Patients with Alzheimer's disease are also given medications to reduce behavioral problems, when they occur. These problems include: depression, agitation, sleep disorders, hallucinations and delusions.

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