Dementia Treatment Medications Therapy Music and Others Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Dementia Dementia Treatment Medications Therapy Music and Others Different types of dementia respond to different treatments. While none can cure the underlying brain disorders or significantly slow their progression, both drug and nondrug interventions can help reduce symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life. By Pamela KaufmanMedically Reviewed by Jason Paul Chua, MD, PhDReviewed: September 2, 2022Medically ReviewedMedication and various types of talk therapy are among the treatments that can improve quality of life.Getty ImagesDifferent types of dementia respond to different treatments. While none can cure the underlying brain disorders or significantly slow their progression, both drug and nondrug interventions can help reduce symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life. Nondrug treatments are generally the first line of defense for people with dementia. Commonly prescribed nondrug therapies include:Talk therapy, such as sessions with a mental health counselor or meetings with a support group, to cope with the emotional challenges of this diagnosisCognitive behavioral therapy, to counter depression and anxietyCognitive stimulation therapy, to keep the mind active with themed activity sessionsCognitive rehabilitation, to relearn lost skills or develop new compensating skills“Life story work” that involves telling or documenting personal experiences and memories, to improve mood, well-being, and mental functionSinging, dancing, art, and other activities that keep patients physically, mentally, and socially engaged, to boost confidence and cognitive skills and lower anxiety (1) Drug Therapies May Be Used Too Doctors may prescribe one of the FDA-approved drugs for Alzheimer’s disease to treat other forms of dementia. Cholinesterase inhibitors are one example. They are a category of medication that includes donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne). By boosting levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain), these drugs help Alzheimer’s patients who are experiencing mild to moderate problems with memory, motivation, or concentration and are struggling to meet the demands of daily living. Cholinesterase inhibitors are also commonly prescribed to people with Lewy body dementia to help with disturbing hallucinations or troubling behaviors. Some researchers believe that people with Lewy body dementia may see even more improvement than patients with Alzheimer’s. (2) Doctors may also prescribe a wide array of other kinds of medication, ranging from antidepressants and sleeping aids to antipsychotics. But not all of these drugs help manage all types of dementia, and some can have severe side effects. Vascular Dementia Treating Cardiovascular Issues Helps Managing the cardiovascular problems that underlie vascular dementia can potentially slow its progress. Physicians may prescribe medication to protect the heart and blood vessels, helping prevent further blockages that can starve brain cells of oxygen and cause further damage. Depending on the specifics of each person’s condition, doctors may prescribe drugs that can:Reduce blood pressureReduce cholesterolPrevent blood clottingHelp control blood sugar (for diabetics) (3) Several research studies have looked at whether cholinesterase inhibitors can reduce symptoms of vascular dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, benefits were found to be small (if measurable at all) and limited to people with mixed dementia who had both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s. (4) A healthy lifestyle can benefit people with vascular dementia. Physicians generally advise patients to get regular exercise, quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, and watch their alcohol intake. (5) Treating Lewy Body Dementia Requires a Team Approach Lewy body dementia, a category that includes Parkinson’s dementia, is a complex disease involving thinking, memory, moving, sleep, and behavior as well as autonomic body functions — the Lewy Body Dementia Association calls it a “multisystem disease” — and finding the right treatment can require a team of physicians. (6) People with Lewy body dementia may also benefit from working with the following kinds of therapists:Physical therapists, to address movement issues through cardiovascular, strengthening, and flexibility exercisesSpeech therapists, to help manage problems having to do with low voice volume, voice projection, or swallowingMusic or expressive arts therapists, to help patients manage anxiety and enhance overall well-beingMental health counselors, to help patients and their families cope with the emotional challenges of this dementia diagnosisOccupational therapists, to help develop strategies for everyday tasks, like bathing and eatingPalliative care specialists, to improve quality of life by suggesting ways to relieve symptoms Medication can also help, although some patients are exceptionally sensitive or may have a negative response to certain drugs. Cholinesterase inhibitors, approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer’s, can help with the cognitive symptoms of Lewy body dementia. They may also help reduce hallucinations and delusions, although doctors warn the drugs take time to kick in, can cause side effects like nausea, and aren’t always effective. The FDA has approved a single Alzheimer’s drug, rivastigmine, to treat Parkinson’s dementia, which is one form of Lewy body dementia. While it can boost cognitive function, it too has side effects. For patients having movement-related symptoms, doctors may recommend a Parkinson’s medication called carbidopa and levodopa (Sinemet). But because of serious side effects, like hallucinations and delusions, physicians prescribe this drug with caution. One common symptom of Lewy body dementia is REM sleep behavior disorder, in which patients physically act out their dreams. Clonazepam (Klonopin), a drug used for seizures and panic attacks, can reduce this symptom at very low doses. Side effects can include dizziness, unsteadiness, and cognitive problems. The sleep hormone melatonin may also help, on its own or in combination with clonazepam. Traditional (typical) antipsychotic medication can be dangerous for people with Lewy body dementia; drugs such as haloperidol (Haldol) can result in severe confusion, extreme Parkinsonism, sedation, even death. Physicians may prescribe so-called atypical antipsychotic drugs at low doses for a limited time. (7) Treatment for Frontotemporal Disorders As with Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal disorders, also known as frontotemporal dementia, are complicated and potentially involve a team of medical experts as well as speech, language, and occupational therapists. Certain antidepressants, such as trazodone (Desyrel), may somewhat relieve behavioral symptoms, such as social disinhibitions and impulsive behavior. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline (Zoloft) and fluvoxamine (Luvox), may also help. As with Lewy body dementia, doctors need to prescribe antipsychotics with caution. (8) Cholinesterase inhibitors have been studied in clinical trials to see if they might be effective in treating frontotemporal disorders. Results have been mixed. In some cases, these drugs have made symptoms worse. (9) NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Healthy Living Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking What Is Dementia? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments. Alzheimer’s Society. August 3, 2022.Those Living With LBD. Lewy Body Dementia Association.Vascular Dementia. Mayo Clinic. July 29, 2021.Are Alzheimer’s Disease Drugs Effective for Other Types of Dementia? Alzheimer’s Society.Treatment and Support for Vascular Dementia. Alzheimer’s Society.Treatment Options. Lewy Body Dementia Association.What Is Lewy Body Dementia? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments. National Institute on Aging. July 29, 2021.Frontotemporal Dementia. Mayo Clinic. April, 19, 2022.Frontotemporal Dementia. Alzheimer’s Society.Show Less The Latest in Dementia People Diagnosed With Early Onset Dementia Are at Higher Risk for SuicideNew findings highlight the need for diagnosis and support in people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.By Becky UphamOctober 5, 2022 Taking a Daily Multivitamin May Help Prevent DementiaNew randomized, placebo-controlled research links once-a-day multivitamin to preserving cognitive function in older adults.By Becky UphamSeptember 15, 2022 Can Walking Even Fewer Than 10 000 Steps a Day Help Prevent Dementia New research has found that even 3,826 steps a day was associated with a reduced risk of dementia.By Becky UphamSeptember 9, 2022 The Descent Into Dementia Is an Unknown JourneyBy Edrie EdrieSeptember 1, 2022 How a New Memory Softens the Blow of a Memory LostBy Edrie EdrieJune 14, 2022 Dementia Risk Factors Change With AgeHigh blood pressure and diabetes, among the biggest risk factors for dementia in middle age, aren’t the best predictors in some older adults, a study ...By Lisa RapaportMay 31, 2022 Experimental Drug Shows Early Potential to Treat DementiaScientists found that an experimental drug, sodium selenate, is safe and well tolerated in patients with a type of dementia that often strikes early in...By Lisa RapaportMay 9, 2022 Living in a ' Greener' Neighborhood Could Boost Cognitive FunctionExposure to green space may improve mood and reduce dementia risk, according to researchers.By Becky UphamMay 2, 2022 Non-White Americans Have a Higher Risk of DementiaPeople who are Black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, or Alaskan Native are all more likely to develop dementia than white people, a new study suggests...By Lisa RapaportApril 19, 2022 New Study Finds That Almost Half of Older Adults Die With a Dementia DiagnosisExperts attribute the rise to changes in billing rules, medical records, and increased public awareness of the disease.By Becky UphamApril 13, 2022 MORE IN Ankylosing Spondylitis Your Everyday Guide to Living Well Dementia Causes Symptoms Treatment and More Schizophrenia Treatment