Mom; New Diagnosis

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Henry DiGregorio - 27 May 2004 01:37 GMT

My mother is 82 and her movement of legs has been difficult for several
months. Her general physician stated is was just age and arthritis. Since
it seemed to get worse, she had an MRI and a neurologist diagnosed her with
a form of "frontal dementia", and said the normal medications like aricept
and others like it won't help.

Is this true? If so, are there any other new or experimental drugs? My
father has a mild demential as well and the aricept has helped tremendously.
And, he was told it won't do much as well.

Any advice or experiences are welcome and appreicated.

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Darryl - 27 May 2004 04:42 GMT

>My mother is 82 and her movement of legs has been difficult for several
>months. Her general physician stated is was just age and arthritis. Since
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>Is this true?

Yes. Unfortunately, AD drugs (aricept, reminyl, etc.) only
occasionally work in frontal lobe dementias (possibly misdiagnosed
cases). Parkinson's disease drugs are similarly unimpressive. SSRIs
(antidepressants) and stimulants (amphetamine believe it or not) may
benefit sufferers but studies supporting their use don't exist.

Here is a very thorough link:
http://www.emedicine.com/NEURO/topic140.htm

>If so, are there any other new or experimental drugs? My

Probably, but a quick search at google turned up nada. Try talking to
the doctor about a possible trial of Aricept (you might be one of the
lucky ones) or another drug. The neurologist should be up on
experimental therapies.

>father has a mild demential as well and the aricept has helped tremendously.
>And, he was told it won't do much as well.

At one time it was thought that acetylcholinesterase inhibitors may
only be useful for ~6 months. Recent studies reveal that there *may*
be a benefit over the long-term.

Darryl.

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