New Alzheimer Drugs on the Horizon!

CURRENT DRUG
M E C H A N I S M S
Current drugs work by relieving some AD symptoms. However, they do not address the
cause of AD or delay its advancement. The FDA has approved two classes of drugs for the
treatment of <strong>Alzheimer</strong>'s disease. Until alternative medications are marketed, these are the
two options available:
•Cholinesterase Inhibitors
•Memantine
Each drug acts on a different brain region, so physicians sometimes prescribe both
simultaneously. The medications are also designed for specific stages of AD - mild,
moderate, and severe. These delineations are based on mental function test scores,
measuring memory, thinking, reasoning, and awareness of time and place.