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November 18, 2007

Psychiatrist discusses Alzheimer's treatment

In its Expert Advice column, the Baltimore Sun (11/8, Selby) interviewed psychiatrist Constantine Lyketsos, M.D., M.P.H., of the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, to discuss patient
treatment and caregiver support for those struggling with Alzheimer's disease.

After noting that "treatment for the disease without symptoms" does not yet exist, and that treatment for mild cognitive impairment "is controversial," Dr. Lyketsos went on to say that patients with more severe disease and "full-blown dementia" can be treated "with a drug that may very slightly slow progression of the disease in moderate or severe stages."

Targeting "memory loss with drugs" can be "really helpful" for approximately 10 to 15 percent of patients. Providing "supportive care measures" and "medications" to address "neuropsychiatric symptoms,...and sometimes delusions," can also help some
Alzheimer's patients. And, teaching caregivers the skills "to manage different aspects of daily life, to administer medications, and to make sure they get respite," is no less important, because caregivers for Alzheimer's patients "have a higher mortality rate [than other caregivers]."

Related LInk:

- Expert Advice: Treatment for Alzheimer's, Baltimore Sun, November 8, 2007.

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