Alzheimer's Drugs -- Part Four

Why is it so hard to find a cure or effective treatment for Alzheimer's?

Because the exact cause is not yet known. There appears to be no one clear cut cause. AD appears as a group of factors work together to trigger its onset and contribute to its progression.

There are also secondary factors which contribute — such as confusion, psychosis, delusions, behavioral problems, stress and depression in the patient and family, and other medical conditions and illnesses.

Besides the better known drugs such as Tacrine and Aricept, there are a large number of investigational drugs, lesser-known treatments, and also alternative medicine which is commonly practiced in the Far East.

The list of investigational drugs is very extensive and technical, but it is important to present this information to illustrate that new and better treatments are being discovered and tested on an ongoing basis.

Velnacrine, metifonate, CP-118954, ENA713, physostigmine — these drugs have unpleasant side effects and their effectiveness varies.

Prednisone and Thalidomide — May never get as far as human trials.

DHEA — Memory improvement

Propentofylline — Slows brain cell death

Steroids and NSAIDS (ibuprofen) — shown to decrease the incidence of developing dementia.

Antioxidents — Melatonin, Vitamin E and Selegilene

Cellular Energy Support — Aceyt-L-carnitine (Alcar)

Insulin — may increase cognitive and memory functions

SB202026 — alleviates major symptoms

Nicotine — improves memory. Dutch researchers have found that smokers are less likely to get AD.

ABT418 — Similar to nicotine. Enhances memory. Absorbed directly into the bloodstream by way of a skin patch (transdermal).

Cholinergic Agonists — Bethancol, Arecoline, RS-86, Oxotremorine, F102B, Xanomeline, BIBN99

Cholinesterase Inhibitors — Tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA), Physostigmine, Galanthamine, E2020

Cholinergic Releasing Agents — DUP996, ENA713

Combined Treatments — clonidine and physostigmine, physostigmine and yohimbine, L-deprenel and cholinesterase inhibitors

Glutamergic Agents

Anti-Amyloid Agents

Chelating Agents

Calcium Channel Blockers

Nerve Growth Factor

The above listings show that besides the well-known treatments, there are many Western treatment options to explore. There is also Eastern medicine which has been commonly practiced for thousands of years.

These herbal and plant extract treatments are widely used in Asia but must be used correctly. A single formula to treat an average Alzheimer's case may contain up to 90 different herbs. These types of medicines cannot be taken with traditional medications and treatment may take two to six months.

Ginseng — used to treat the gravely ill

Chinese Dates — used in almost every herbal mixture

Licorice root — purges toxins

Coix seeds — decreases edema and contains anti-cancer substances

Consult a qualified practitioner of oriental medicine before attempting to experiment with any herbal or plant treatments.