Update on Alzheimer's disease. Promising advances in detection and treatment.
In the past decade, significant progress has been made in the understanding and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Modest success has been achieved using new drugs in treatment of mild symptoms of the disease. Vitamin E, estrogen, and NSAIDs may slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, but their routine use is not without risk, and there is no evidence that these agents are effective in preventing the disease in asymptomatic people. With our increased understanding of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, it is likely that the next decade will see further refinement and development of treatment strategies to halt progression and possibly reduce the incidence of disease.
Burke
J R
JR
Division of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA. james.burke@duke.edu
Morgenlander
J C
JC
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077265:Donepezil; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D004967:Estrogens; D007189:Indans; D010880:Piperidines; D014810:Vitamin E; D000077265:Donepezil