The aging society presents us with challenges related to the diagnosis and therapy of dementia-related diseases. In Poland, approximately 500,000 people suffer from dementia, including 300,000 individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, it is estimated that the number of patients will double in the next 20-25 years. Currently, only 15-20% of patients are correctly diagnosed and treated. Both the effectiveness and complications of therapies depend significantly on the genetic background. Women account for two-thirds of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Approximately 1 in 6 women over the age of 65 develop Alzheimer’s compared to 1 in 11 men.

Pharmacotherapy

Complex nature of dementia-related diseases and the lack of effective therapeutic schemes result in medications aimed at symptomatic relief or stabilization of cognitive decline over periods ranging from several months to several years. The main goal of pharmacotherapy for dementia-related diseases is to increase cholinergic transmission in the brain, offering the potential to halt cognitive decline. Optimizing drug doses and adjusting treatment regimens based on knowledge of the individual metabolic abilities of each patient allows for better therapeutic outcomes and reduces the risk of adverse effects. This applies not only to the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine but also to other medications that patients must take for accompanying symptoms of associated conditions.