Prakt. lékáren. 2008; 4(6): 286-290
PHARMACOTHERAPY OF DEMENTIAS
- Psychiatrická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN Praha
Current pharmacotherapeutic approaches are presented which are used in the treatment of Alzheimer‘s disease as the most common type of dementia, and of related dementias. Only two approaches are evidence-based: the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and that of memantine. The other approaches are rather of supplementary importance. Novel approaches that are currently under investigation are also mentioned some
of which will likely be used in clinical practice. The paper deals with the so-called cognitive pharmacotherapy, not with the pharma-
cotherapy used in behavioural, emotional, and sleep disorders that accompany the dementia syndrome. Current pharmacotherapy does not allow to cure Alzheimer‘s disease
and related dementias, it is not causal, but it does allow to improve their course and, most of all, to delay the severe stages of dementias associated with being fully dependent on the care of others.
Keywords: Key words: Alzheimer‘s disease, beta-amyloid, dementia, pharmacotherapy, cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine.
Published: January 1, 2009 Show citation
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