Drug therapies for cognitive impairment and dementia.

Drugs currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease include acetylcholinesterase inhibitor drugs (tacrine [Cognex®], donepezil [Aricept®], rivastigmine [Exelon®, Exelon Patch®], and galantamine [Reminyl®, Razadyne®]) and glutamate-modulating drugs (memantine [Namenda®]). They do not halt the underlying degenerative process but can slow disease progression. Piracetam is a nonprescription noot ropic drug designated by the FDA as an orphan drug for myoclonic seizures. Clinical trials in a diverse group of patients with age-related dementia or cognitive impairment demonstrated a significant benefit, but the methodology of these studies is poor, and long-term effects are unknown. Other therapies discussed in this article include Ginkgo biloba, a nonprescription natural supplement, and Axona", designated by the FDA as a medical food.