Alzheimer's disease is a slowly developing disease, starting with mild memory problems and ending with severe brain damage. The course the disease takes and how fast changes occur vary from person to person. On average, Alzheimer's disease patients live from 8 to 10 years after they are diagnosed, though the disease can last for as many as 20 years.
No treatment can stop Alzheimer's disease. However, for some people in the early and middle stages of the disease, the drugs Cognex®, Aricept®, Exelon® or Reminyl® may help prevent some symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time. Memantine, also known by its brand name Namenda®, is approved for use in moderate to severe forms of the disease.
Also, some medicines may help control behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's disease such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, psychosis, and depression. Treating these symptoms often makes patients more comfortable and makes their care easier for caregivers.
Developing new treatments for Alzheimer's disease is an active area of research. Scientists are testing a number of drugs to see if they prevent Alzheimer's disease, slow the disease, or help reduce behavioral symptoms.
