Examining Effective Pharmaceutical Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease

Brock Grundy, Sydney Ferguson, and Brianna Wasylychyn

Introduction Research Question Conclusion

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that results in steady
cognitive decline. Currently, there are no curative options
for treating Alzheimer’s. However, there are some
pharmaceutical treatments that are hopeful to offer either
improvement or prevention of further cognitive decline or
neuroprotective effects of reducing amyloid plaques in the
brain, or both. Cholinesterase inhibitors, such as
Donepezil, Rivastigmine, and galantamine, have been on
the market as Alzheimer’s treatment for nearly 2 decades.
However, their effects, both neuroprotective effects and
clinical improvement effects, are still up for question. A new
drug, Aducanumab sold under the name Aduhelm, is under
much controversy for its accelerated FDA approval and its
unknown effects.
In patients with Alzheimer’s Disease,
how does aducanumab compare to
cholinesterase inhibitors in reducing
behavioral and cognitive symptoms of
the disease?
In the debate of which is the most effective
Alzheimer’s treatment, the effects of
aducanumab and cholinesterase inhibitors
oppose one another. What one medication
offers, the other does not, and vice versa.
Neuroprotective effects and cognitive
improvement are the desired outcomes for
Alzheimer treatment, but unfortunately neither
of the top medications can provide both
accurately. Completed and ongoing studies for
both of the medications confirm this, and it is
up to the discretion of the provider which
medication they are comfortable with
prescribing.

Background/ Significance to Nsg

Summary of Research Findings

Aducanumab: As a new drug to the market, it’s

accelerated approval by the FDA has had
doctors refraining from prescribing it to their
patients with Alzheimer’s. Despite the
controversy, aducanumab is shown to
significantly reduce amyloid deposition in the
References
brain but also shows little to no cognitive
improvement.
Cholinesterase Inhibitors: These medications
have been found to improve cognition and
prevent further cognitive decline, but do not offer
significant neuroprotective effects.

Bitonte College of Health and Human Services Centofanti School of Nursing