How is dementia treated? What can be done for those suffering from this dreaded disease? While a cure remains to be seen, experts said the key is to keep the brain as active as possible.

"Within reasonable limits, patients with impaired cerebral function should keep mentally active. It is possible, as with other organs that non-use of nerve cells leads to reduced functional capacity and atrophy. A certain degree of mental stimulation should be maintained in any case. Specific verbal exercises, such as solving crossword puzzles, reading the daily newspaper and brain jogging (solving specific mental tasks) can improve the patient's memory. Cerebral activities of this kind may help to maintain the function of the nerve cells," according to Bayer researchers.

"During the early stage of the disorder, you can provide care at home for a friend or member of your family who has Alzheimer's disease. It is necessary, however, to care for the person under the direction of a physician. Providing care for an individual with Alzheimer's disease can be difficult and maybe stressful to the spouse and family members. Often, those providing care need assistance and support organizations and a network of family and friends,” said Dr. David E. Larson, editor-in-chief of the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book.

“Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease requires patience and compassion to deal with the frequent repetition of stories and questions and the occasionally offensive behavior. Eventually, the person's condition deteriorates such that additional full-time nursing care is required, and often placement in a nursing home is necessary," Larson added.

There are many experimental drugs for Alzheimer’s disease. Most of them hope to correct the enzyme deficiency characteristic of the disorder. These “brain stimulants” include ergoloid, lecithin or choline supplements, physostigmine, and tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA). Unfortunately, none has proved successful in reversing the disease and some have dangerous side effects. Special diets won't work either except in the case of nutritional deficiencies.

"Various diets including those rich in choline, phosphatidyl serine and trophic peptides have been tried. They have shown some improvement but have doubtful relevance as it was given prophylactically. Extra vitamin supplements and free radical scavengers could be of theoretical value, but there appears to be enough in normal food. No diet has been proven to be of clinical value in dementia." reported Tom Smith in the 9th International Bayer Pharma Press Seminar in Vienna.

One leading researcher in the field has suggested that aspirin may prevent Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Patrick McGreer, a professor of psychiatry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, made this recommendation after observing that patients with rheumatoid arthritis seldom develop the disease.

McGreer attributes this to the anti-inflammatory agents they take which he believes protects them from the disease. Subsequent studies made by researchers at the Mayo Clinic, however, have failed to confirm McGreer's findings. Much more research is needed in this aspect.

Because of these negative findings, drug therapy for dementia is used mainly to control undesirable behavior and solve the patient's sleeping problems. To this end the physician may prescribe tranquillizers and similar drugs to lessen the anxiety and depression felt by most patients.

Aside from this, people with dementia need plenty of love, patience and understanding. This will certainly make the patient more comfortable.

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