Advances of therapy for Alzheimer's disease: An updated review

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a type of dementia characterized by a decline in brain function, which leads to the inability to perform activities independently. Many researchers recognize abnormalities related to beta-amyloid as the main cause of the disease (i.e., the beta-amyloid hypothesis), but aging, genetics, coronary heart disease, environmental factors, gender, and other risk factors may also contribute to AD development. Three drugs with different mechanisms are available for AD treatment: cholinesterase inhibitors, N-methyl d-aspartate, and aducanumab. This study reviewed the therapies that are already applied in clinical practice and those that are currently being investigated for clinical use. These therapies include not only pharmacological treatments but also non-pharmacological treatments, such as gut flora therapy and music therapy. A comprehensive understanding of these therapies is necessary to enable early intervention, improve patients' physical and mental conditions, delay the occurrence and development of AD, and extend patients' healthy lifespans.