Which class of medications is commonly used for symptomatic treatment of dementia?

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Multiple Choice

Which class of medications is commonly used for symptomatic treatment of dementia?

Memory loss in dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease, is linked to a loss of cholinergic neurons and lower acetylcholine in brain regions essential for learning and memory. Drugs that block the breakdown of acetylcholine—acetylcholinesterase inhibitors—boost the amount of acetylcholine available at synapses. This enhances cholinergic transmission in the cortex and hippocampus, leading to modest improvements in attention, memory, and daily functioning. Because of this, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are the standard symptomatic therapy for mild to moderate dementia. Common examples are donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine. They do not slow the underlying disease or reverse damage; their benefit tends to be gradual and may wane as the disease progresses. Side effects stem from increased acetylcholine activity, most often gastrointestinal upset and bradycardia. In more advanced dementia, memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, may be added for additional symptomatic benefit, but it operates via a different mechanism. Antipsychotics and antidepressants address behavioral or mood symptoms rather than cognitive decline.

Memory loss in dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease, is linked to a loss of cholinergic neurons and lower acetylcholine in brain regions essential for learning and memory. Drugs that block the breakdown of acetylcholine—acetylcholinesterase inhibitors—boost the amount of acetylcholine available at synapses. This enhances cholinergic transmission in the cortex and hippocampus, leading to modest improvements in attention, memory, and daily functioning. Because of this, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are the standard symptomatic therapy for mild to moderate dementia. Common examples are donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine. They do not slow the underlying disease or reverse damage; their benefit tends to be gradual and may wane as the disease progresses. Side effects stem from increased acetylcholine activity, most often gastrointestinal upset and bradycardia. In more advanced dementia, memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, may be added for additional symptomatic benefit, but it operates via a different mechanism. Antipsychotics and antidepressants address behavioral or mood symptoms rather than cognitive decline.

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