Review article
Pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer’s Disease
Vera Folnegović-Šmalc
Suzana Uzun
Oliver Kozumplik
Petra Folnegović-Grošić
Neven Henigsberg
Gordan Makarić
Mato Mihanović
Ninoslav Mimica
Abstract
Dementia is characterised with multiple cognitive
deficits which include memory impairment. It is most
common in the elderly. The prevalence is around 1% in the
age of 60 and increases twice every five years. Inhibitors of
acetylcholinesterase are used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s
disease (AD) presently. Most common side-effects in therapy
with inhibitors of acetilcholinesterase are gastrointestinal
side-effects, tiredness, headache and dizziness. Agressiveness
and agitation are present in 80% of AD cases. Benzodiazepines,
mood stabilizers and antipsychotics are aproved in
these cases. Two thirds of patients suffering from dementia
have depressive symptoms. The prevalence of depressive
simptoms in patients with AD is 25-30%. Treatment with antidepressants
is necessary in these cases and the first line of
treatment are selective serotonine reuptake inhibitors.
Beside clinical examination, it is very important to take into
consideration hetheroanamnesis obtained from the members
of the family and caregivers. Neuropsychological estimation,
as well as the scales of general clinical estimation, are good
indicators for efficacy of the therapy. Based on this, decisions
for further therapeutical procedures are made.
Keywords
Alzheimer’s disease; dementia; pharmacotherapy
Hrčak ID:
19974
URI
Publication date:
25.9.2002.
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