Snoezelen for dementia
Abstract Background Snoezelen, multi-sensory stimulation, provides sensory stimuli to stimulate the primary senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell, through the use of lighting effects, tactile surfaces, meditative music and the odour of relaxing essential oils. The rationale for this lies in the proposition that the provision of a sensory environment for people with […]
Antidepressants for treating depression in dementia
Abstract Background The use of antidepressants for patients with dementia accompanied by depressive symptoms is widespread, but their clinical efficacy is uncertain. Many of the individual trials of antidepressants have been too small to provide precise estimates of the moderate benefits that might realistically be expected. Combining the information from all appropriate trials may provide […]
Nimodipine for primary degenerative, mixed and vascular dementia
Abstract Background Dementia is an age-associated syndrome most commonly due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and/or cerebrovascular disease. Calcium has an important role in regulating brain functions. Calcium ions link membrane excitation to subsequent intracellular molecular responses. Age-associated changes in calcium homoeostasis have possible repercussions on higher cortical functions. Nimodipine is an isopropyl calcium channel blocker […]
Indomethacin for Alzheimer’s disease
Abstract Background Inflammatory processes involving cytokines, prostaglandins, free radicals and glial cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as indomethacin attenuate inflammatory reactions. Hence, there may be a role for some of these drugs in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Objectives To examine the efficacy of indomethacin in […]
Haloperidol for agitation in dementia
Abstract Background Agitation occurs in up to 70% of demented patients. Haloperidol has been used for decades to control agitation in dementia, but its effectiveness remains unclear. Previous meta-analyses examined only English language publications or compared haloperidol with other drugs rather than with placebo. To study the effectiveness of haloperidol a more widely based review […]
D-cycloserine for Alzheimer’s disease
Abstract Background Evidence supports a role for NMDA receptors in learning and memory. These can be modulated by the antibiotic D-cycloserine in such a way that the effect of the excitatory transmitter substance glutamate is enhanced. A study on healthy subjects pretreated with scopolamine to mimic Alzheimer’s disease showed a positive effect of D-cycloserine at […]
Nicergoline for dementia and other age associated forms of cognitive impairment
Abstract Background Nicergoline is an ergot derivative currently in use in over fifty countries for more than three decades, for the treatment of cognitive, affective, and behavioral disorders of older people. It was initially considered as a vasoactive drug and mainly prescribed for cerebrovascular disorders. Recent findings suggest other actions which has provided a rationale […]
Physostigmine for dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease
Abstract Background The main pharmacological approach for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been based on the use of agents potentiating cholinergic transmission, particularly by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the enzyme that destroys acetylcholine after it has been secreted into the synaptic clefts. Physostigmine is an AChE inhibitor originally extracted from calabar beans. It is […]
Nicotine for Alzheimer’s disease
Abstract Background Nicotine is a cholinergic agonist that also has a presynaptic effect in releasing acetylcholine. It has been shown to reverse spatial memory deficits produced in rats by lesions in the medial septal nucleus of their brains, and, in aged monkeys, nicotine administration improves memory and alertness to visual stimuli. Observational studies have suggested […]
Thiamine for Alzheimer’s disease
Abstract Background Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency plays an important role in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This is a form of brain damage occurring in long-term alcoholics who rely mainly on alcohol for nutrition. The acute syndrome (Wernicke’s encephalopathy) is normally reversible. Progression to the profound amnestic syndrome (Korsakoff’s psychosis) can be averted by a timely injection of […]