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Treatment of Cognitive Deficits in Alzheimer's disease: A psychopharmacological review

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Resumo:The growing and aging population has contributed to the increased prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other types of dementia in the world. AD is a progressive and degenerative brain disease with an onset characterized by episodic memory impairments, although progressive deficits can be observed in several domains including language, executive functions, attention and working memory. The relationship between cognitive impairments and the topography and progression of brain neuropathology is well established. The pathophysiologic mechanisms and processes that underline the course of cognitive and clinical decline have been the theoretical support for the development of pharmacological treatments for AD. Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists are the main drugs used in the management of global cognitive impairment and several studies also explore the effects of both in specific cognitive measures. Recent research trends also examine the effects of combination therapy using both compounds. This review aims to update practical recommendations for the treatment of global cognitive functioning and specific neurocognitive deficits in AD using ChEIs, NMDA antagonists and combination therapy with both drugs.
Autores principais:Campos, Carlos
Outros Autores:Rocha, Nuno; Vieira, Renata Teles; Rocha, Susana A; Telles-Correia, Diogo; Paes, Flávia; Yuan, Tifei; Nardi, Antonio Egidio; Arias-Carrión, Oscar; Machado, Sergio; Caixeta, Leonardo
Assunto:Alzheimer Disease Cholinesterase Inhibitors Cognition Disorders Humans N-Methylaspartate
Ano:2016
País:Portugal
Tipo de documento:artigo
Tipo de acesso:acesso restrito
Instituição associada:Instituto Politécnico do Porto
Idioma:inglês
Origem:Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico do Porto
Descrição
Resumo:The growing and aging population has contributed to the increased prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other types of dementia in the world. AD is a progressive and degenerative brain disease with an onset characterized by episodic memory impairments, although progressive deficits can be observed in several domains including language, executive functions, attention and working memory. The relationship between cognitive impairments and the topography and progression of brain neuropathology is well established. The pathophysiologic mechanisms and processes that underline the course of cognitive and clinical decline have been the theoretical support for the development of pharmacological treatments for AD. Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists are the main drugs used in the management of global cognitive impairment and several studies also explore the effects of both in specific cognitive measures. Recent research trends also examine the effects of combination therapy using both compounds. This review aims to update practical recommendations for the treatment of global cognitive functioning and specific neurocognitive deficits in AD using ChEIs, NMDA antagonists and combination therapy with both drugs.