Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Cognitive Impairments in Older Adults with Alzheimer's Disease: A Narrative Review

Nidia Moreno

Nidia Moreno Unicersidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-9371

Keywords: Neurodegenerative disorders, memory, cognitive functioning, behaviour

Abstract

Neurodegenerative disorders represent a public health problem with an increasing prevalence worldwide, with Alzheimer's disease (AD) being the most commonly diagnosed, accounting for 60-70% of cases in people over 65 years of age. AD causes problems in memory, thinking and behaviour, its symptoms develop slowly and worsen over time. Despite being an incurable disease, there are pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments that can alleviate the effects of AD. The aim of the present work was to perform a narrative review of the main treatments used for the cognitive deficits of this disease. Among the pharmacological treatments, those indicated according to the stage of the disease are discussed, such as cholinesterase inhibitors, immunotherapy, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, among others. Likewise, non-pharmacological treatments include strategies that have been used for cognitive stimulation and rehabilitation, reality orientation and reminiscence therapy, sensory stimulation techniques, among others. In conclusion, the combination of both treatments proves to be more effective in delaying deterioration in patients with AD, in addition, it is worth mentioning that, within the non-pharmacological treatments, cognitive stimulation is the most used strategy either alone or in combination with others to maintain cognitive and social functions and other activities of daily living, that is, the effectiveness of treatments may depend on the combination of appropriate actions.

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