If Alzheimer's medications slow the progression of Alzheimer's for 6-12 months in 50% of patients, what happens in the other 50%?
1 answer
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Last updated: Oct 04, 2011
Q
I notice the Alzheimer's Assoc. website states that medications currently slow the progression of the disease for 6-12 months in 50% of the patients. How about the other 50%? Has it ever been seen where the medications actually accelerate the progression of the disease?
A
Joanne Koenig Coste is a nationally recognized expert on Alzheimer's care and an outspoken advocate for patient and family care. She is the author...
Now that's a really logical question! In the other 50% there is generally no change noted in cognitive, physical or behavioral function. This may mean the diagnosis is a related disease and not 'true' Alzheimer's disease(AD) or, that the change is too insignificant to be measurable. Frequently, when a person with AD is taken off this group of medications, the symptoms of the disease become more obvious as the person appears to be at the level he/she would have been if the meds had never been given. It is a sort of plummet to a later stage. I have not heard of any of these meds actually accelerating the progression if they remain on them. Hope this is helpful.
