ABSTRACT

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder marked by cognitive decline, memory loss, and behavioral changes, profoundly impacting patients and their families. This presentation explores AD's pathophysiology and current pharmacological treatments.

AD involves the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques, tau protein tangles, neuroinflammation, and neuronal loss. Genetic factors also influence its onset and progression. Current treatments, such as cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) and the NMDA antagonist memantine, offer symptomatic relief but do not halt disease progression. Emerging therapies, like monoclonal antibodies (aducanumab, lecanemab), target amyloid plaques, but their efficacy remains uncertain. New strategies focus on reducing neuroinflammation and restoring synaptic function.

While current therapies manage symptoms, future treatments aim to modify the disease, using a multifaceted approach to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.