Current management tactics for patients with dementia

• Published in: Nevrologii͡a︡, neĭropsikhiatrii͡a︡, psikhosomatika Vol. 10; no. 2; pp. 102 - 108
• Main Authors: Medvedeva, A. V., Kosivtsova, O. V., Makhinov, K. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Russian
• Published: IMA-PRESS LLC 24.06.2018
• Subjects: alzheimer's disease; anticholinesterase drugs; dementia; nmda receptor antagonists
• ISSN: 2074-2711; 2310-1342
• DOI: 10.14412/2074-2711-2018-2-102-108

Dementia develops as a result of continuous long-term progression of less severe cognitive impairment (CI). Social and psychological methods (neurocognitive stimulation and neurocognitive training) are the mainstay of treatment for dementia. At the moment, there are no drugs both to cure dementia and to stop the degeneration of nerve tissue. Modern pharmacotherapy for dementia aims to maintain cognitive functions in the patient for as long as possible and to slow down disability, thus ensuring higher living standards. CI therapy most often consists of compensation for cognitive defect. Among the whole variety of pharmacological agents, the effective drugs to treat dementia are only two groups, such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonists. Atypical neuroleptics are employed for the treatment of psychotic disorders; antidepressants from a group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are for depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy and cognitive stimulation deserve special attention. A high educational level and physical, social, and intellectual and activities can prevent dementia.