A type of Alzheimer’s drug appears to slow the progression of Lewy body dementia Cholinesterase inhibitors slowed progression of Lewy body dementia compared to another common Alzheimer’s med Researchers called for clinical trials to further test the drugs’ effectiveness MONDAY, Aug. 24, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- A type of drug used to treat Alzheimer’s disease appears to slow the progression of Lewy body dementia, the brain disease that afflicted comedian Robin Williams prior to his suicide. Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger important for memory and learning.
The drugs are commonly prescribed to treat symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, judgment and other thought processes in Alzheimer’s patients, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Now, new research suggests the drugs might also help people with Lewy body dementia, according to new data from nearly 1,100 people with the degenerative brain disease. The medications, known as ChEIs, significantly slowed cognitive decline in Lewy body dementia patients compared to another Alzheimer’s drug called memantine , researchers reported Aug.
23 in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia . “Our results highlight the potential benefits of ChEIs for patients with [Lewy body dementia] and support updating treatment guidelines,” said senior researcher Maria Eriksdotter , a professor of neurobiology with the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. Lewy body dementia .