In a study of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), those who took the drug donepezil were at reduced risk of progressing to a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia among Americans over the age of 80. Donepezil is one of four drugs currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Mutations that raise the risk of Alzheimer's have been found in four genes. Researchers expect that several additional genes that affect the risk of developing Alzheimer's may be found.
A heart-healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise, may help to delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. A number of drugs also seem to affect the brain changes that may lead to Alzheimer's disease.
The impact of Alzheimer's disease on Hispanic communities in the U.S. is serious and getting worse. Not only do Hispanics have a higher rate of Alzheimer's than non Latino whites, but onset occurs at an earlier age.
Anti-Inflammatory Don't Improve Alzheimer's Cognitive Functions The anti-inflammatory drugs naproxen and celecoxib do not appear to improve cognitive function in older adults with a family history of Alzheimer's disease, and naproxen may have a slightly detrimental effect.
How Mutation Causes Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer's is a terrifying brain-destroying disease whose causes have proven very difficult to pin down. Physical chemists have shown precisely how a minor mutation results in unexpected changes in a very delicate chemical balance, creating build-up of the toxic by-products.
