Abstract

Prerna Upadhyaya*, Vikas Seth and Mushtaq Ahmad

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder manifested by deterioration in memory and cognition, impairment in performing activities of daily living, and many behavioral and neuropsychiatric illnesses. The pathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease is widespread neuritic plaques which are accumulations of amyloid beta protein and neurofibrillary tangles. Studies report that deficit in cholinergic system is responsible for cognitive decline and memory loss in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Various pharmacologic approaches are developed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The leading edge therapies of Alzheimer’s disease are approved drugs; Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA receptor antagonist. The experimental therapies are mostly disease modifying and have neuroprotective approaches. Gamma secretase inhibitors aim to reduce amyloid beta formation. Antioxidants, antiinflammatory agents and statins help by preventing oxidation and inflammation. PPAR gamma agonists, estrogen, heavy metal chelators, 5HT6 antagonists and nicotinic receptor agonists are other therapeutic strategies likely to alter the current treatment paradigm of Alzheimer’s disease. The behavioral abnormalities are best treated first by non-pharmacologic interventions. The pharmacological agents used for treatment of Neuropsychiatric illnesses include antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers. Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease also includes health maintenance activities and proper nursing care of the patients.