Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment and Preventions

Treatment

Alzheimer's disease is a complex disorder, for which there is currently no known prevention or cure. Some research has generated hope that one day it might be possible to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, delay its symptoms or even prevent it from occurring at all. Although there is preliminary data to support the benefit of some interventions, such as physical activity and cardiovascular risk reduction, nothing at this time has definitively been shown to prevent Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The scientific advisors of the American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF) do not currently recommend or endorse any commercial nutritional supplement, exercise program, or cognitive training exercises for the purposes of preventing Alzheimer’s disease. In spite of this, AHAF encourages people to evaluate the role of these interventions on the overall health and spirits of both the patient and caregivers.

NSAIDS

Over the past couple of years, reports have been surfacing that NSAIDs like Ibuprofen, Naproxen and COX-2 inhibitors might actually prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have been rigorously studying the relationship between NSAID use and Alzheimer’s disease and no benefit has been demonstrated. Despite these results, scientists continue to look for ways to test how other anti-inflammatory drugs might affect the development or progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Estrogen

Over the past several years, estrogen has been recognized as having a protective role in the brain. However, its’ potential role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease has yet to be determined. In fact, clinical trials have shown that estrogen does not slow the progression of already-diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease and is not effective in treating or preventing AD if treatment is begun in later life. One large trial found that women older than 65 who began taking estrogen in the form of Premarin® or PremPro® were actually at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Although results from such studies were disappointing, many questions remain. For instance, would starting estrogen therapy closer to menopause be more effective in preventing Alzheimer’s disease? These questions and other concerns related to estrogen’s relationship with Alzheimer’s disease are currently being studied in clinical trials.