Update Sheets

Drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease – Cholinesterase inhibitors

Update Sheet No. 1
June 2011

Three drugs in a class called cholinesterase inhibitors are used in Australia to treat Alzheimer’s disease. This Update Sheet provides information about how these drugs work, who might benefit, how they are prescribed and what questions people should ask their doctor if being prescribed any of these drugs.

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PBS subsidies for cholinesterase inhibitors: What are the conditions?

Update Sheet No. 2
June 2011

Drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors are approved for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for treating people with Alzheimer's disease who meet certain criteria. This Update Sheet provides information about the conditions that need to be met in order to receive these medications at the subsidised rate.Download a copy of - Brain donation.

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Treating Alzheimer's disease & Vascular dementia: The use of other therapeutic treatments

Update Sheet No. 3
June 2008

In addition to the drugs approved for treating Alzheimer’s disease, there is considerable interest in alternative therapies for dementia, including oestrogen, folate, vitamin E and ginkgo biloba. This Update Sheet provides a brief summary of information about some of these and advises asking your doctor about any of the listed alternative treatments. This Update Sheet is currently under review.

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Pain and Dementia

Update Sheet No. 4 
June 2011

People with dementia may be less able to communicate to their carers that they are in pain, resulting in reduced quality of life. This can be avoided by looking out for non-verbal signs of pain and providing adequate treatment. This Update Sheet provides information about appropriate assessment and management of pain in people with dementia.

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Aluminium and Alzheimer's disease

Update Sheet No. 5 
June 2008 

Aluminium is one of a number of factors that has been suggested as a cause for Alzheimer's disease. However, the balance of evidence does not support a specific role for aluminium in Alzheimer's disease. This Update Sheet examines the role of aluminium in the body and the evidence for a connection between aluminium and Alzheimer's disease.

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Drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease – Memantine

Update Sheet No. 6
June 2011

Memantine is one of a number of drugs that are available for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This drug may alleviate symptoms in the middle and later stages of Alzheimer’s disease. This Update Sheet provides information about how memantine works, who might benefit and what questions people should ask their doctor if being prescribed this drug.

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Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Update Sheet No. 7 
June 2011 

Some people experience changes in memory and other cognitive (thinking) functions greater than that usually experienced with ageing, but without other signs of dementia. This is called Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). This Update Sheet provides information about what MCI is and what it means to be told that you have MCI.

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Tests used in diagnosing dementia

Update Sheet No. 8 
June 2008 

This Update Sheet explains the more common tests and assessments doctors currently use to diagnose dementia. This sheet will help you to understand the process involved in diagnosing dementia. Those who are being assessed for dementia will find it helpful to be prepared for what, for some people, may be a long and emotionally difficult process. This Update Sheet is currently under review. 

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Physical exercise and dementia

Update Sheet No. 9
June 2011

Physical exercise is essential for maintaining good blood flow to the brain and may encourage new brain cell growth and survival. This Update Sheet outlines the role that physical exercise can play in reducing the risk of developing dementia and the benefits it offers to people with dementia.

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Mental exercise and dementia

Update Sheet No. 10
June 2011

Exercising the brain has a part to play in a positive, healthy lifestyle in the same way as physical exercise and helps maintain a well-functioning brain. This Update Sheet outlines the part that mentally stimulating activity can play in promoting a healthy lifestyle and its potential to reduce the risk of dementia, and to benefit people with dementia.

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What you eat and drink and your brain

Update Sheet No. 11
June 2011

Diet is one factor researchers are investigating for its role in reducing the risk of dementia and for the assistance a healthy diet may provide to people who have dementia. This Update Sheet outlines the part that diet can play in promoting a healthy brain.

Download a copy of - What you eat and drink and your brain  

Drugs used to relieve behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia 

Update Sheet No. 12
June 2011

People with dementia may at some point in their illness develop behavioural or psychological symptoms. While it is important to try to understand and address the underlying reasons for these problems, it may be necessary at times to prescribe medication. This Update Sheet describes the different types of drugs that may be prescribed.

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Risperidone for treatment of behavioural symptoms in dementia

Update Sheet No. 13
June 2011

Risperidone is an antipsychotic medication approved in Australia for the treatment of behavioural disturbances characterised by psychotic symptoms and aggression in people with dementia where non-drug therapies have been unsuccessful. This Update Sheet explains current knowledge and concerns about risperidone for people with dementia.  

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Anaesthesia for older people and people with dementia

Update Sheet No. 14
August 2007

For a long time, there have been anecdotal reports from family members that their older relative "has never been the same since the operation". Some older people do experience changes after surgery with general anaesthesia, but for the majority these will be temporary. This Update Sheet describes the different types of problems that may occur. This Update Sheet is currently under review.

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Depression and dementia  

Update Sheet No. 15
June 2011

Although it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between them and they can occur together, dementia and depression are different conditions requiring appropriate responses and treatment. The purpose of this Update Sheet is to help people to identify depression and to provide them with information that will help them to raise issues with their clinicians.

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Safer walking for people with dementia: Approaches and technologies 

Update Sheet No. 16
April 2009

People with dementia can derive great benefit from continuing to enjoy walking. However, for some there may be an increased risk of wandering, injury or getting lost. This Update Sheet provides information about how walking can be made safer for people with dementia, and less worrying for their families and carers.

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Brain donation

Update Sheet No. 17
June 2011

Dementia is an illness of the brain. In order to understand brain diseases, researchers need access to brain tissue from people generous enough to donate their brain after death. This Update Sheet provides information to help you make a decision about donating your brain and how to go about it.

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Rights to health information

Update Sheet No. 18
June 2011

Can doctors share the health information of a patient with dementia with family or friends caring for them? This Update Sheet explains what is allowed under the disclosure provisions of the Privacy Act, and how these provisions may apply to people with dementia, their families and carers.

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These publications provide a general summary only of the subject matter covered. People should seek professional advice about the specific case. Alzheimer's Australia is not liable for any error or omission in these publications, even if negligent.