Psychiatria pre prax 6/2006

TREATMENT OF DEMENTIA OF THE ALZHEIMER TYPE BY MEMANTINE

The article treats the subject of basic pathogenetic factors of the development of dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT), of current knowledge and possibilities of pharmacological influence of the dynamics and effects of the neurodegenerative changes in the brain and of cellular death. The focus is on the role of glutamatergal transmission in the pathogenesis of DAT and the possibilities of therapeutic influence of memanthin. The results of clinical studies of effectiveness of treatment by memanthin and the results of post marketing clinical study ELPACH in Slovakia are cited. The practical recommendations for the treatment by memanthin are summarized in the conclusion of the article.

Keywords: dementia, neurodegeneration, excitotoxicity, cellular death, glutamat, antialzheimerics, memantine.