Optimizing diagnosis and management in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive declines in cognitive function and the ability to carry out activities of daily living as well as the emergence and worsening of behavioral/neuropsychiatric symptoms. While there is no cure for AD, nonpharmacologic interventions and medications that modulate neurotransmission can slow symptomatic progression. Medical foods may also be useful as adjuncts to pharmacologic agents in AD. Medium-chain triglycerides aimed at improving cerebral metabolism significantly improve AD Assessment Scale-Cognitive scores when added to ongoing pharmacotherapy in patients with mild-to-moderate AD. The combination of interventions, such as nonpharmacologic treatments, pharmacotherapy and medical foods, with complementary mechanisms of action may provide a rational approach that may result in maximum preservation of cognitive function in patients with AD.