Last week’s article discussed the symptoms of memory loss and how it may be related to Alzheimer’s disease. This week, we’ll discuss treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, but first, two important factors to keep in mind:

  • Your memory loss could be related to normal aging OR Alzheimer’s disease OR Lewy body dementia OR Parkinson’s disease OR other multiple diagnoses. Making an accurate diagnosis is extremely important as therapies will vary. This is not a self-made diagnosis; only your doctor or a neurologist can help.
  • Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia develop over decades, and prevention depends heavily on a healthy lifestyle. Controlling blood pressure, keeping LDL cholesterol low or well managed, and exercising regularly—even starting in your 30s—can help reduce the risk of dementia later in life. Obviously, avoiding smoking, illicit drug use, and alcohol abuse is also important.

Recently, two drugs, lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla), have been approved for the treatment and slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s type dementia.  These two drugs work by clearing the brain of amyloid plaque, which exists outside the neuron (the nerve cell), and slowing the progression of tau tangles, which exist both inside and outside the neuron. They work best when started early in the process but unfortunately, have significant side effects such as brain hemorrhage and brain swelling. They can be thought of as not necessarily curing Alzheimer’s but rather slowing the progression of the disease and reclaiming years of productive life.

In summary, prevention is the best cure. Currently, there is not a cure, only a treatment, which is associated with significant side effects.

Dr. Charlie Barnett is a contributor to KnoxTNToday, where he writes the weekly column DocTalk, sharing his expertise in health and wellness.

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