Cognitive Enhancers and Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating yet common neurodegenerative illness affecting over six million people in the United States alone. Unfortunately, there are currently no available therapies that can modify the trajectory of this disorder and fully prevent progression of this illness. However, there are seven medications that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. These medications include memantine, donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, aducanumab, lecanemab, and a medication that combines memantine and donepezil. In this chapter, the neuropathology of Alzheimer’s disease is discussed. A detailed description of the medications approved for Alzheimer’s disease and an overview of good prescribing practices for these medications is also provided. Further, a summary of other treatments and interventions that are not approved by the FDA but have some evidence of efficacy in addressing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are provided. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, there are treatments that can improve the lives of patients with this disorder.