[Medical treatment of Alzheimer's disease]

Abstract

In Denmark, Alzheimer drugs have been registered since 1997. Three cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmin og galantamin) are approved mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and one partial NMDA receptor antagonist (memantin) with the indication moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. The treatment is symptomatic with a parallel shift of the course. The life expectancy does not seem to be altered. There is documented effect on the cholinesterase inhibitors of up to two years and for memantine for 6 months. New disease modifying agents are under clinical development.