Alzheimer's Disease
4 medicines
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, causing progressive memory loss and cognitive decline. Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine slow symptoms, though no treatment reverses the disease.
Key facts
- Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological condition and the most common cause of dementia worldwide, gradually destroying memory, thinking, and eventually the ability to manage everyday tasks.
- It's caused by an abnormal build-up of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which disrupt communication between nerve cells and cause them to die over time; age is the biggest risk factor.
- Cholinesterase inhibitors, donepezil and galantamine, preserve a memory-related brain chemical and are used in mild to moderate stages; memantine works differently and is often added later.
- No treatment reverses Alzheimer's, but these medicines can slow symptom progression and support quality of life.
How the disease progresses
In the early stage, the most noticeable change is short-term memory loss: forgetting recent conversations, misplacing objects, or struggling to recall new names. As the disease advances, confusion deepens, language becomes harder, and familiar tasks like cooking or managing finances grow difficult. In later stages, full-time care is usually needed. As populations age worldwide, Alzheimer's diagnoses are rising sharply, making awareness and early action increasingly important.
The underlying cause is an abnormal build-up of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which disrupt communication between nerve cells and cause them to die over time. Age is the biggest risk factor, with risk roughly doubling every five years after 65.
Medicines used in Alzheimer's care
No treatment reverses Alzheimer's, but several medicines slow symptom progression and improve quality of life. The cholinesterase inhibitors donepezil and galantamine work by preserving acetylcholine, a chemical messenger essential for memory and learning. They're typically used across mild to moderate stages. Memantine works differently, regulating glutamate activity to reduce further nerve cell damage, and is often added in moderate to severe stages. These medicines are part of a wider neurology approach that includes cognitive support and carer education.
When to see a doctor
If someone develops sudden confusion, significant personality changes, or loss of basic functions over days rather than months, seek medical assessment promptly: rapid decline can point to a different, sometimes treatable cause.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.