Three medications that ease Alzheimer's symptoms
As we wait for a breakthrough that can block or reverse Alzheimer's disease, there is some consolation that we finally have three kinds of medications and a treatment that can damp down or slow the progression of symptoms -- cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, and a monoclonal antibody, lecanemab.
Cholinesterase inhibitors increase levels of a chemical messenger called acetylcholine, which promotes alertness, memory, and thought processing. According to experts, these meds can roll back memory loss by six to 12 months (as long as you stay on them), but they don't ultimately keep the disease from progressing.
Memantine impacts the effects of glutamate and dopamine, chemicals that help send messages that are involved in memory between nerve cells. It takes up to three months to see even minor benefits but can let some folks continue to manage daily tasks, such as dressing themselves, for a longer time.
And for folks in the early stages of Alzheimer's, lecanemab slows the build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain. While the medication doesn't stop new plaques from forming, it does slow down their accumulation.
Plus: A different approach is Therapeutic Plasma Exchange. In the large, randomized AMBAR study, initially published in 2020 in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, researchers saw it reversed cognitive decline in the near term and that persisted long after treatment was stopped. Stay tuned.
Also, check out Dr. Mike's "The Great Age Reboot" for info on more than 40 ways to reduce your risk and "A Natural Approach to Cognitive Health" at the iHerb.com/blog.
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).
(c)2025 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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