Current weapons against dementia
Currently there are no treatments available that can cure or prevent the progression of dementia. However, it is possible to alleviate some of the symptoms of the disease – especially in the early stages – supporting those diagnosed with dementia to have a better quality of life.
The Alzheimer’s Society has developed guides to the current drug treatments we have for dementia and how they work, which can be found through the following links:
- Drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease
- Drugs used to relieve behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia
However, quality of life for dementia suffers can also be significantly improved through other, non-drug, routes. Around 90% of people with dementia will suffer behavioural and psychological problems, such as aggression, loss of inhibition and even hallucinations. While antipsychotic drugs are available, in most cases, these behaviours can be managed better or prevented altogether without the need to use medication. The Alzheimer’s Society has a number of articles on this area, which can be found through their Antipsychotics webpage.
Diagnosis of dementia often leads to feelings of stress, anxiety and depression for the individual, which in turn can affect memory and thinking. Recent research has shown that talking therapies can help maintain mental well-being in people with dementia by allowing them to speak openly and to adjust to living with their condition more successfully. This was found particularly beneficial for people with an early diagnosis of dementia. In addition, talking therapies can also be helpful for carers, allowing them a way to cope with the stress of caring while also suffering the bereavement of slowly losing the person they love.
Find out why we may need to rethink clinical trails in order to find new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, and how to reduce your risk of dementia.