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BODY - MAINTENANCE (SUPPLEMENTS AND MEDICATIONS)

Medications for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia:

• There are some medications available for people with Alzheimer’s disease. What are their benefits?
• Is Aricept beneficial to people with Alzheimer’s disease?
• Are there any drugs that can help improve declining ability in concentration related to aging?

There is a family of drugs called Cholinesterase Inhibitors, which includes Aricept as well as two other medications called Exelon and Reminyl.

These medications may help with the symptoms of early to mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease by increasing the level of brain chemicals responsible for memory, but they do not alter the course of the disease and are not a cure.

As a general rule, Cholinesterase Inhibitors make a measurable improvement to the functioning of one third of people with disease. For another third they stabilize the condition, while for the last third there are no noticeable effects. The drugs have side effects and a doctor may have to work with the patient to see which of the three drugs is tolerated.

There is another drug called Ebixa (sometimes known as Memantine) that also helps with managing the symptoms of the disease. This medication is usually prescribed for the moderate to late stages of the disease.

None of these drugs are prescribed for age-related memory loss.

Is Ibuprofen helpful in delaying Alzheimer’s disease?

Ibuprofen is one of the family of drugs called anti-inflammatories. Aspirin is also in this group and there are some naturally occurring anti-inflammatories, such as the active ingredient in the herb turmeric, ginkgo-biloba, aloe vera, and compounds containing vitamin E.

Researchers are looking at whether inflammatory conditions play a role in developing Alzheimer’s disease. This is because it was noticed that people with arthritis who take strong anti-inflammatories to manage inflammation in their joints had a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.

However, the results of these research studies on prevention have been mixed, and it is not possible at this time to give reliable advice.

Aspirin and Ibuprofen are prescribed to help with circulatory problems, and having a healthy circulation is good for the brain. It’s important that anyone considering taking these medications to improve their circulation consult with their doctor, as there are significant side effects.

When the latest treatment guidelines for Alzheimer’s disease were developed using reliable available research, there was no reliable evidence that anti-inflammatories help when the disease has become established. As such, these medications are not prescribed as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease at this time.

Supplements:

• I recently saw an ad for an herbal (non-invasive) treatment for dementia on TV. Do you know what it might have been?
• Does ginkgo biloba help?

Perhaps the substance referred to in the question that was recently on TV was phosphatidylserine - sold as a nutritional supplement in the USA and by prescription in Europe and Japan. There are varied claims that it plays a role in supporting brain health.

Humans naturally manufacture phosphatidylserine to maintain the structure and function of cell membranes, but its natural production in the body declines with advancing age.

At this point, testing to learn whether it can help with memory loss has been confined to rats; When aged rats were given phosphatidylserine for two months, their performance on an age-related memory impairment test improved significantly, indicating better memory function.

How can you overcome a dependency on sleep aids?

This is an issue for your doctor.

Coming off certain sleeping drugs would be a physical (and psychological) addiction issue that requires counseling and a tapering off regime of prescription medication under the supervision of a doctor and/or psychiatrist.

Going ‘cold turkey’ without medical advice is not recommended, as the physical effects can be very significant. Anxiety about loss of sleep and fear of recurring insomnia can become self-fulfilling prophecies.

Some people have found acupuncture from a skilled practitioner helps relax the nerves and encourages sleep.