Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are affect millions of persons residing in the United States. Persons, their families, and the communities in which they belong are all impacted by ADRD. We all benefit from more knowledge about how best to prevent, diagnosis, and treat ADRD.
What are some of the current treatments? What are ways that we will create more options to support persons living with and at risk for ADRD?
Treatment
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are complex. A single drug or other intervention by itself is unlikely to successfully treat it in all people living with the disease. Treatments can include pharmacological (drug/medicine) interventions and non-pharmacologic (devices/program) interventions. However, it is important to understand that none treatment is available at this time will cure Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Several prescription drugs are already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people with Alzheimer’s disease. Most medicines work best for people in the early or middle stages of Alzheimer’s.
For more information about medication treatments, please see: https://order.nia.nih.gov/publication/alzheimers-disease-medications-fact-sheet
Research
Research is the process of creating generalizable knowledge. Research in many of its forms is a pathway to achieving better solutions for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of ADRD. Researchers in Illinois, around the country, and around the world are working collaboratively to discover solutions that will improve the lives of those with dementia, their caregivers, and their communities.
The federal government in the United States is the largest resource in the world for supporting organized research in ADRD. However, many not-for-profit groups and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies also sponsor research regarding ADRD.
However, research cannot be done, especially in finding new ways of preventing, diagnosing, and treating without the support of persons living with or at risk for ADRD volunteering to join in the journey to be a part of research. Research is meant for everyone from every community to participate. It is only with scientists and clinicians and persons living with or at risk for ADRD work together that we will create the learning community to find the right solutions for promoting well-being.
For more information about federally funded research in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, please see: https://www.alzheimers.gov/taking-action/research-activities
To learn more about volunteering for clinical research studies, please see: https://www.alzheimers.gov/taking-action/volunteer