Treatment for Brain Dementia

Brain dementia is a term given to a condition that causes the loss of two or more brain functions, such as memory, judgment, speech, learning, planning, reasoning and determining what is real from what is imaginary. Although there is no cure for dementia, there are treatments available to slow its progression.

Identification

• The most common treatment for brain dementia are prescription medications. These include cholinesterase inhibitors like donezepil or the drug memantine. In some cases, doctors utilize a combination of both types of drugs.

Function

• Cholinesterase inhibitors increase levels of a chemical known as acetylcholine in your brain, improving memory and judgment. Memantine helps regulate levels of glutamate in your brain, which helps with memory and learning.

Time Frame

• Medications taken for brain dementia are typically taken daily as long as the drugs are proving beneficial. In some cases, the medications are able to stop the progression of dementia, at least for a limited period of time, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Common Side Effects

• The most common side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Memantine's most common side effect is dizziness.

Considerations

• If an underlying medical condition like a stroke or vascular disease is the cause of dementia, doctors may rely upon other treatments for the cause. This may include changes in diet, hypertension medications or blood thinners.

Supplements

• In addition to medicinal treatments, some patients rely upon herbal and vitamin supplements to slow the progression of dementia and improve memory. Alternative supplements used to treat dementia include Vitamin E, Omega 3 fatty acids, ginkgo and huperzine A, according to the Mayo Clinic.