The Role Of Traditional Medicines And New Treatment Targets

Dementia, a common problem in elderly, is rising worldwide including India. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a main etiology for dementia. Currently anticholinesterases, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, disease modifying agents form the mainstay of treatment of AD. However, recent breakthroughs in AD research have given multiple new treatment targets. This review summarizes the role of existing therapies and their limitations, role of traditional medicines and new treatment targets. The newer agents include molecules targeting tau protein like modulators of Ï„-kinases or phosphatases, kinase inhibitors, Ï„-aggregation inhibitors (TAIs). It also includes molecules which targets amyloid plaques like, inhibitors or modulators of†¦show more content†¦The neurobiology of AD is well understood now and the search for better treatment options is still on. This provides an opportunity for more research on integrated approach using existing therapies, traditional and alternative medicines with newer treatments and potential candidates for management of AD. Ayurveda, Anticholinesterases, Cognition, Dementia, Memory, Neurodegenerative disorders Memory is the ability to encode, store and recall information and past experiences.[1,2] The loss memory leads to dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia which accounts for 60-80 % of cases worldwide.[3] AD is a primary neurodegenerative disease with characteristic neuropathological and neurochemical features. However the exact etiology of AD is still not known. Dementia in AD with onset before the age of 65 years has a relatively rapid deteriorating course with marked multiple disorders of higher cortical functions and another with onset after 65 years has a slow progression with memory impairment as principal feature. The phases of AD progression with features are summarized in table 1. As per the statistics provided by the Alzheimer’s disease International’s World Alzheimer Report 2015, an estimated 46.8 million people are living with dementia worldwide. This is projected to double every 20 years and estimated to be 131.5 million by year 2050. [4] Most of