Fact 6: Role of Medications in MCI and Dementia
In the management of MCI and dementia, medication plays an essential role. While there are no absolute cure-all treatments for these conditions, numerous drugs can effectively manage symptoms and in some instances, slow the progression of the disease.
At the outset, it’s crucial to realize that the approach to medication is generally more targeted in dementia than in MCI. In the case of dementia, the drugs prescribed largely depend on the type of dementia diagnosed. Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent type of dementia, has a particular set of medications associated with it.
Donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine are common cholinesterase inhibitors. They have shown moderate efficacy in managing the cognitive symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Patients on these drugs may experience improvement or less rapid progression in their cognitive and functional symptoms.
Memantine, another FDA-approved medication for Alzheimer’s, works in a slightly different way. It’s a type of drug known as an NMDA antagonist and is used to regulate the activity of glutamate – a critical neurotransmitter for learning and memory. When produced in excessive amounts, glutamate can lead to brain cell death; memantine helps to prevent this by blocking the effects of excess glutamate.(6)
