What is the main treatment approach for Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease is primarily characterized by a decline in cognitive function, with specific deficits in memory, language, and other executive functions. A significant underlying feature of the pathology of Alzheimer's is the impairment of cholinergic neurotransmission, where there is a decrease in the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This loss occurs due to the degeneration of cholinergic neurons in the brain.

The main treatment approach for Alzheimer's disease involves the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. These medications work by inhibiting the activity of acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft. By decreasing the breakdown of acetylcholine, these drugs help increase its availability and enhance cholinergic transmission, which can lead to slight improvements in cognitive function or the slowing of disease progression.

This approach has been a foundational aspect of pharmacologic treatment for Alzheimer's, reflecting the critical role of acetylcholine in cognitive processes. Other treatments may focus on addressing symptoms or other neurotransmitter systems, but the central strategy for managing Alzheimer's focuses significantly on preserving and enhancing cholinergic activity in the brain.