Cholinesterase Inhibitors May Help Psychological Symptoms of Alzheimer's, At Least A Little

Researchers at Indiana University and at University of Kent and Kings College London in the U.K. recently combined the results of nine studies on whether cholinesterase inhibitors improve psychological symptoms in Alzheimer’s patients.  Cholinesterase inhibitors (Aricept, Exelon and Razadyne) are drugs prescribed to treat the cognitive symptoms of the disease.

Based on their “meta-analysis” of the combined results, the researchers concluded that these medicines appeared to reduce psychological symptoms in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s.  However, the positive effects were small enough that they might not make a difference for patients or caregivers.

The analysis did not show a positive effect for people with severe Alzheimer’s. 

Comments

[SHEILA DENNEHY]

WILL ACETYLN CARNITINE, PHOSPHATIDYL CHOLINE, PLUS B COMPLEX, B12 1000 MGS VIT B6 100, AND FOLIC ACID 800, IN ANY WAY HELP AN ALZ PATIENT ALONG WITH FISH OIL AND MAGNESIUM, I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR OPINION.
S.D

[Mona Johnson]

Sheila, thanks for your comment. I'm not qualified to answer your question. You can see some information about supplements and herbs promoted as useful for Alzheimer's at http://www.tangledneuron.info/the_tangled_neuron/alternative-medicine-vita.html. Unfortunately, clinical trial results for many of these potential treatments have been disappointing. If you decide to go ahead with these supplements, I would also check with your doctor to make sure they won't harm the person with Alzheimer's, and won't interact with each other or with prescription medicines.