Alzheimer's Disease
Other Treatment
Treatment with the herbal supplement ginkgo biloba to improve mental functioning is considered experimental.
Other therapies, such as light therapy, aromatherapy, and exercise, may help reduce behaviours such as agitation but should only be done with supervision.
Other Treatment Choices
- Ginkgo biloba. Some evidence suggests that ginkgo biloba may improve thinking problems associated with Alzheimer's disease.8
- Vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that may help protect nerve cells from damage or may improve the function of nerve cells. Results of studies have been mixed, but vitamin E may slow the progress of the Alzheimer's disease. Some research suggests that although it does not appear to affect memory loss or thinking problems, taking vitamin E may delay the loss of ability to perform basic, everyday activities.8 When taken in reasonable amounts (less than 400 international units or IU a day), vitamin E is safe, inexpensive, and may be helpful for some people. Talk with your doctor before using vitamin E and other antioxidants to prevent Alzheimer's disease.
- Aromatherapy. One small study indicates that this therapy, when used as a lotion containing essential balm oil, may be safe and effective for reducing significant agitation in people with severe dementia.10 However, more research is needed to prove its effectiveness.
- Light therapy. This treatment is often used to relieve depression. It may help reduce depression, agitation, and sleeplessness associated with Alzheimer's disease. The person is exposed to either natural light or artificial light for several hours every morning or at night to reduce depression.
- Exercise. Gentle exercise, such as walking or swimming, can also relieve symptoms of depression associated with Alzheimer's disease. Exercise is most effective when it is combined with teaching caregivers how to work through behavioural problems with the person with Alzheimer's disease.
Another way a caregiver can try to reduce agitation is to play soothing music for the person with Alzheimer's disease, during meals and when the caregiver is helping with bathing.
What To Think About
As with other new drugs in development, other treatments for Alzheimer's disease such as ginkgo biloba need further study. Their effectiveness and possible side effects are not yet fully known. Talk to your doctor before you decide to try any herbal therapies, supplements, or non-prescription treatments.
 Go to previous section |  Go to top of page |  Go to next section |
| Author: | Douglas Dana Sabra L. Katz-Wise Ralph Poore | Last Updated: January 26, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine Peter J. Whitehouse, MD - Neurology | |
 | ||
