Treatment
Treatment
Treatment decisions always require an individualized medical evaluation. These pages explain the options so you can have a better conversation with your clinician.
Can dementia be treated?
There is meaningful treatment for dementia, even though most causes cannot yet be cured.
Read moreDonepezil (Aricept)
A cholinesterase inhibitor used across mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's disease.
Read moreRivastigmine (Exelon)
A cholinesterase inhibitor available as a skin patch, often used in Lewy body and Parkinson's disease dementia.
Read moreGalantamine (Razadyne)
A cholinesterase inhibitor used in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Read moreMemantine (Namenda)
An NMDA receptor modulator used in moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, often alongside a cholinesterase inhibitor.
Read moreLeqembi (lecanemab)
An anti-amyloid antibody that modestly slows decline in early Alzheimer's disease for carefully selected patients.
Read moreKisunla (donanemab)
An anti-amyloid antibody for early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease, given by infusion with MRI monitoring.
Read moreAmyloid-targeting treatment
Anti-amyloid antibodies are the first treatments that address Alzheimer's biology rather than only symptoms.
Read moreWho may qualify for disease-modifying therapy
Eligibility depends on stage, biomarker confirmation, imaging findings, medications, and other health conditions.
Read moreARIA monitoring
ARIA is brain swelling or small bleeding that can occur with amyloid-targeting therapy and requires MRI surveillance.
Read moreLifestyle interventions
Lifestyle measures do not replace medical treatment, but their combined effect is real and worth pursuing.
Read moreExercise
Exercise is among the most consistently supported interventions for brain and functional health.
Read moreSleep
Poor sleep worsens memory, mood, and behavior; treating sleep disorders can improve daily function.
Read moreHearing
Treating hearing loss is one of the highest-value, most overlooked interventions available.
Read moreNutrition
A Mediterranean-style eating pattern is reasonable, and maintaining weight becomes the priority as dementia advances.
Read moreSocial connection
Isolation accelerates decline; engagement supports mood, sleep, and function.
Read moreBlood pressure and vascular health
Vascular risk factor control is one of the few measures with evidence for reducing dementia risk.
Read moreCognitive activity
Mental engagement is worthwhile; commercial brain-training claims outpace the evidence.
Read more