Alzheimer disease and its management: a review.
Alzheimer disease is a progressive degenerative disorder of the brain characterized by a slow, progressive decline in cognitive function and behavior. As the disease advances, persons with Alzheimer disease have tough time with daily usage of things like using the phone, cooking, handling money, or driving the car. The disease is more common in elder population. It is estimated that Alzheimer disease affects 15 million people worldwide and approximately 4 million Americans. The clinical features of Alzheimer disease overlaps with common signs of aging, and other types of dementia, hence the diagnosis remains difficult. The neuropathologic hallmarks of the disorder are amyloid-rich senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal degeneration. Drugs approved for treating Alzheimer disease include acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. Caregivers not getting adequate information about Alzheimer disease may believe that nothing can be done to manage its symptoms. Understanding the extent of Alzheimer disease related knowledge can assist disease management that result in improved disease management and reduced care costs. This article attempts to focus on some of the important recent developments in understanding and management of Alzheimer disease.
Samanta
Malay K
MK
Department of Pharmaceutics, J.S.S College of Pharmacy, Rocklands, Ootacamund 643001, Tamil Nadu, India. oty_samanta@san-charnet.in
Wilson
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Santhi
K
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Kumar
K P Sampath
KP
Suresh
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D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077265:Donepezil; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005702:Galantamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008559:Memantine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048448:Phenylcarbamates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000068836:Rivastigmine; D013619:Tacrine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D007189:Indans; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D010880:Piperidines; D005702:Galantamine; D013619:Tacrine; D000077265:Donepezil; D000068836:Rivastigmine; D008559:Memantine