[Pharmacological prevention of cognitive decline and dementia].

BACKGROUND

Dementias are among the most feared diseases and pose a threat to social and healthcare systems in aging societies. A cure for Alzheimer's or other dementias will not be achieved in the coming years, which makes prevention of cognitive decline and dementia a priority for research and patient-related services.

AIM: Summary of evidence for drug and other compound-related prevention of cognitive decline and dementia.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Literature review of epidemiological evidence and clinical trials of antidementia drugs, anti-amyloid drugs under development, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, statins, hormone replacement therapy, lithium, ginkgo biloba, and Fortasyn Connect.

RESULTS

There is evidence for effects on single endpoints and subgroups for some of the reviewed compounds, but there is no consistent evidence for efficacy.

DISCUSSION: There is no sufficient evidence to provide any specific or general recommendation for drug- or compound-related prevention of cognitive decline or dementia. It needs to be recognized that prevention trials on cognitive decline in aging and dementia require large numbers of participants and long follow-up times, which create major challenges with regard to conducting and financing such trials. The current state of evidence also supports the potential role of nonpharmacological approaches in dementia prevention.