Current treatments for dementia
At the moment, there is no ‘cure’ for any of the conditions that cause dementia. However, in recent years there have been emerging treatments that show evidence of slowing Alzheimer's disease - this is a major milestone showing for the first time that neurodegeneration could be targeted and treated. Lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla) both lower levels of the amyloid beta protein, and the former is now approved for use in the UK. However, it is currently not available on the NHS.
Most of the treatments currently in use for dementia and neurodegenerative conditions are designed to relieve symptoms and improve the individual’s quality of life. For example, medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine are often used to treat Alzheimer’s and can provide some improvement in cognitive symptoms. Other drugs can help with condition-specific symptoms such as anxiety or depression.
Many people also find that non-medical treatments such as lifestyle changes, eating a healthy, balanced diet, staying active and cognitive stimulation therapy can be beneficial. Complementary therapies such as acupuncture or herbal supplements are also used by some people, but there’s limited scientific evidence about the effectiveness of these alternative treatment options.
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms, getting an early dementia diagnosis can be important, as it allows for early support and treatment of symptoms, and can facilitate better future planning for those affected and their families. Early diagnosis will also become even more crucial as new treatments like lecanemab and donanemab emerge which may help to slow the underlying brain changes, and which are likely to be most effective if given early.
For more information, visit our specific condition pages or the NHS or Alzheimer’s Society websites.
Ongoing research
At the UK Dementia Research Institute, we’re working tirelessly to better understand the causes of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and motor neuron disease and to discover new treatment options that go beyond symptomatic relief and that target the underlying causes of these conditions to slow or stop their progression.
There have been some promising breakthroughs in recent years, including the development of two treatments for Alzheimer’s which show for the first time that the progression of these diseases can be disrupted (see 'current treatments'.) However, the journey from a scientific discovery breakthroughs, to the development of a therapeutic and finally delivery an approved treatment can be long and complex. Clinical trials are in progress to test these new therapies and more research is needed to help us fully understand how they work and how safe they are.
Visit our dedicated condition pages for detailed information about each disease, including symptoms, current treatments and the latest research developments, and sign up to the UK DRI newsletter to stay updated on the latest exciting developments.