Neurológia pre prax 6/2009

Treating Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative dementias

Dementias of neurodegenerative origin represents big therapeutical problem for its frequency (Alzheimer´s disease is most common dementia), health and social unadvisability (diseases devastating the quality of life and in most cases with letal end), for its financial expensiveness and for its difficult currability. In most cases of these diseases is not known its ethiology and pathogenesis completely at present time, and thus our contemporary treatment results from the affection of known pathogenetic mechanisms. Therapy of neurodegenerative dementias includes pharmacotherapy of cognitive functions, pharmacotherapy of non-cognitive functions, therapy of intercurrent static disorders, psychotherapy (first of all reeducation), sociotherapy and cooperation with caregivers – closest family members. In the article there are discussed basic possibilities of above mentioned therapeutic approaches.

Keywords: Alzheimer´s disease, dementia, pharmacotherapy, Lewy body disease, neurodegeneration, reeducation.