Treatment of dementia: anything new?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article is to discuss new data on presently approved drugs for dementia, such as cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, and concerns regarding the use of antipsychotics for treating neuropsychiatric symptoms, as well as to summarize some relevant studies recently published on emerging therapies with potential disease-modifying effects.


RESULTS
The main focuses of recent studies of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine have been on efficacy and safety aspects in extended clinical trials, combined treatments or comparative analysis between agents, and also on potential neuroprotective effects and new indications. Other publications have assessed the evidence of efficacy and the increased risk of cerebrovascular events, rapid cognitive decline, and mortality with the use of antipsychotics in dementia, providing important information in relation to the controversy surrounding its use. Although more studies are warranted, a sizable literature on novel treatment options under investigation is currently available as a result of a better understanding of pathogenesis of dementia.


CONCLUSIONS
So far, there is no established method to predict better responders or long-term benefits with currently approved drugs for treatment of dementia. Recent systematic reviews and new research on current treatment, however, provide valuable information for clinicians, and novel drugs under investigation reveal promising new therapeutic strategies.
Machado
João Carlos
JC
Aurus IEPE - Institute of Research and Education on Aging, Lucas Machado Foundation, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. jcmachado@attglobal.net
Caramelli
Paulo
P
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008559:Memantine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D008559:Memantine