Editorial

Alzheimer Disease

Authors: Trey Sunderland, MD

Abstract

Only a few years ago, the diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD) was often avoided by busy clinicians and met with despair by patients and their families. Therapeutic nihilism was the norm, and for good reason as there was no proven medication to help treat the symptoms of the illness. Today, however, we have two different classes of accepted treatments for AD and five specific Food and Drug Association (FDA)-approved medications from which physicians may choose. Furthermore, there are multiple trials underway of other novel approaches that may prove even more effective. Yet, if you ask these same busy clinicians if we are better off today, the answer might at best be only moderately positive. What is the problem?

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