Other Therapeutic Interventions

Data continue to emerge regarding other potential interventions that may treat dementia or decrease the risk of developing it. Observations of the following interventions are preliminary and are considered uncertain regarding their benefit in preventing or delaying disease progression.

• Selegiline (Eldepryl): Some studies have reported that selegiline, a drug used in the treatment of Parkinson disease, may improve behavior, functional performance, and cognitive function. Mood enhancement may play a role in the apparent improvement in cognition.
  
  
• Estrogens: In women, estrogens may enhance nerve cell function after menopause.
  
  
• Antioxidants: High doses of vitamin E (1000 units twice daily) may be beneficial in delaying functional deterioration in vascular dementia. Such high doses of vitamin E can cause bleeding problems in some people. The addition of vitamin C may enhance the beneficial effects.
  
  
• Anti-inflammatory agents: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include agents like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). NSAIDs may decrease inflammatory changes that are common in Alzheimer disease, or they may inhibit platelets, thereby protecting blood flow in the brain.
  
  
• Statins: The Canadian Study of Health and Aging noticed that people using statins (for example, atorvastatin [Lipitor], pravastatin [Pravachol], or simvastatin [Zocor]) to lower cholesterol showed lower odds of developing Alzheimer disease.