Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurologic condition affecting memory and cognitive abilities. Advanced stages of illness can result in loss of ability to communicate and perform basic daily functions. The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown; however, the disease is linked to amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles that are found within neurons, which disrupt neuron function.   

Current treatments include disease modifying medications and medications aimed at controlling symptoms.  

Centrally acting cholinergic agonists (most widely used), NMDA receptor antagonists, and disease modifying monoclonal antibody treatments have been approved as treatments for Alzheimer's disease.