Medications
Alzheimer's research scientists are currently testing a number of drugs to see if they:
Some ideas that seem promising turn out to have little or no benefit when they are carefully studied in a clinical trial. Researchers undertake clinical trials to learn whether treatments that appear promising in observational and animal studies are actually safe and effective in people.
Antioxidants
Several years ago, an Alzheimer's research study showed that
vitamin E slowed the progress of some consequences of Alzheimer's disease by about 7 months. Additional studies are investigating whether antioxidants -- vitamins E and C -- can slow Alzheimer's disease.
Another Alzheimer's research study is examining whether vitamin E and/or
selenium supplements can
prevent Alzheimer's disease or cognitive decline, and additional studies on other antioxidants are ongoing or being planned.
Ginkgo Biloba
Early Alzheimer's research suggested that extracts from the leaves of the
ginkgo biloba tree might be of some help in treating Alzheimer's disease symptoms. Although there is no evidence yet that
ginkgo biloba will cure or prevent Alzheimer's disease, scientists are conducting a clinical trial to help determine whether ginkgo biloba can delay cognitive decline or prevent
dementia in older people.
(Click Gingko for more information about ginkgo biloba extracts.)
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