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Drugs not helpful for mild cognitive impairment

Alzheimer's drugsThis week, the Canadian Medical Association Journal published a study revealing that Alzheimer’s drugs are not particularly helpful for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). They might even be harmful.

Also known as “cognitive enhancers,” doctors sometimes prescribe these drugs to people with MCI in an effort to improve their concentration, memory, alertness, mood and day-to-day functioning. Yet, researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto found that these medications—including donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine—don’t have the positive effect they’re supposed to.

After studying the effects of cognitive enhancers on 5,000 MCI patients aged 66 to 73, the researchers found the drugs offered no long-term benefits. They also had numerous side-effects, including frequent headaches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Mild cognitive impairment is what it sounds—a mild weakening of the brain’s functioning abilities. MCI causes memory lapses as well as problems with language, thinking and decision-making. However, these issues are not as pronounced as they are in people with full-fledged dementia. About 17 percent (not all) of people with MCI develop dementia.

Dr. Serge Gauthier, director of the Alzheimer’s disease research unit at McGill University’s Centre for Studies in Aging, said that MCI is the wrong stage of dementia to treat and that there are currently no medications that can slow the process of mild cognitive impairment.

With this in mind, it’s better to focus energy on things we know can slow the progression of dementia: physical exercise, mental stimulation and social engagement. 

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