Evidence-Based Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Dong Woo Lee; Yoon Seok Huh; Ki Woong Kim

doi:10.5124/jkma.2009.52.4.417

J Korean Med Assoc > Volume 52(4); 2009 > Article

Lee, Huh, and Kim: Evidence-Based Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Pharmacotherapeutics

Journal of the Korean Medical Association

Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2009; 52(4): 417-425.

Published online: April 30, 2009

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2009.52.4.417

Evidence-Based Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Dong Woo Lee, MD¹, Yoon Seok Huh, MD², Ki Woong Kim, MD²

¹Department of Psychiatry, Inje University College of Medicine, Korea.

²Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea. kwkimmd@snu.ac.kr

Abstract

The pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer's disease is based on symptomatic therapy of cognitive decline and behavioral problems. Numerous therapies have been investigated for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. We reviewed the current evidence-based medical research and guidelines of treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The use of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) inhibitors can bring about significant but modest therapeutic improvement. There is insufficient evidence to recommend vitamine E, estrogen, ginko biloba, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the prevention or treatment of Alzheimer's disease. This article reviews the available data on current pharmacological treatments through evidence-based medicine.

Alzheimer's disease; Pharmacotherapy; Cholinesterase inhibitor; Memantine; Evidence

References

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Table 1

Recommendations of California Workgroup on guidelines for Alzheimer's disease management

Adopted from final report of California Workgroup on guidelines for Alzheimer's disease management.

Table 2

Principles for precribing ChEIs

Table adopted from final report of California Workgroup on guidelines for Alzheimer's disease management.

Table 3

Cholinesterase inhibitors for treatment of mild, moderate and severe alzheimer's disease

Table adopted from FDA approved package inserts.

Table 4

Principles for prescribing memantine

Table adopted from final report of California Workgroup on guidelines for Alzheimer's disease management.

Table 5

Memantine (N-Methyl-D-Aspartate [NMDA] Receptor Antagonist) for treatment of moderate to severe alzheimer's disease

Table adopted from FDA approved package inserts.