Treatments for Dementia Patients

Currently, dementia is mainly treated with medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. Cholinesterase inhibitors block the breakdown of acetylcholine, which leads to an increased amount of communication between nerve cells in the brain and may stabilize the symptoms of dementia. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is vital for memory function and blocking its breakdown aids in decreasing memory loss in patients with dementia due to improvement in global brain cell function. Memory loss is one of the most severe symptoms of dementia, which is why cholinesterase inhibitors are commonly used to improve memory.

Memantine works to reduce the amount of abnormal activity in the brain and treats mild to moderate symptoms of dementia. Memantine does not cure dementia, but it does help prevent the disease from developing rapidly and slows the symptoms. It targets glutamate excitotoxicity and benefits cognitive function. Memantine is also beneficial for attention issues in patients and works to reduce attention deficits in patients with dementia. Parts of the Ginkgo biloba tree have also been used to create the supplement EGb 761, which is mainly used in Asia. This supplement contains neuroprotective properties and increases mitochondrial function, moderates serotonin levels in the brain, increases serotonin levels, and reduces the hyperactive hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Alternative therapies like talking therapies, aromatherapies, and light therapy have also been used with medications to help relieve the symptoms of dementia. Massage therapies have been found to offset cognitive decline and provide stress relief for patients with dementia. These therapies provide treatments for moderate symptoms, especially psychological ones like depression and anxiety. They can also improve attention spans in patients and boost overall mood.

In certain cases memantine and cholinesterase inhibitors can make agitation in patients with dementia worse and talking therapies and aromatherapies can reduce agitation by relieving tension and providing an outlet for emotions. Medications like memantine have side effects that include aggression and depression, which art therapy can help treat. With the use of therapies combined with medications, side effects of medications are less intense and medications will perform their tasks better, which will in turn improve memory and attention.