Can the progression of dementia be slowed?
There is good evidence that cholinesterase inhibitors delay the need for nursing home placement among those with Alzheimer’s. Memantine allows many moderate Alzheimer’s patients to remain in the home for longer periods of time because it reduces agitated behavior. Several studies have shown that aspirin (or other anti-platelet agents) can slow the progression of vascular dementia. What is happening in the brain to cause dementia? Depending on the type of dementia, different degenerative processes are involved. For example, a normal protein (beta-amyloid) accumulates to an excessive extent in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Another normal protein (alpha-synuclein) develops in excess in the brains of those who have dementia with Lewy bodies. Abnormal tau proteins accumulate in the brains of people with Pick’s disease. Toxic amounts of these proteins are thought to be a factor contributing to cell death and inflammation in these diseases. Are patients with dementia at greater risk for
