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.
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