Balance Falling Memantine

The med helped my dad, but not to that degree. I’m glad your friend is so much better.

What took them so long? The protocol they are following. My dad is still on Donepezil, but I talked to his doctor in advance to know when Memantine is prescribed and what to expect. He took time to explain.
So, at the beginning of therapy, they start with Donepezil for mild to moderate Alz. It increases the chemical in the brain, acetylcholine, which is important for memory and learning. However, as the disease progresses, the brain produces less and less of that chemical, and these meds become less effective.

Memantine works in a completely different way, blocking a different chemical than the first one I mentioned. That chemical, glutamate, didn't need to be blocked in the early stage, because it was not the problem. As Alz progresses, brain cells are more damaged and they over-release this glutamate. That is why only then that it is needed to block that over-release.

It is good to hear your friend is better

My sig other received a diagnosis of Alzheimers. She was put on memantine last Nov and then 5mg donepezil in Feb. More recently it was increased to 10 mg. The next step will be Leqembi injections after a Pet scan.

Blood tests done in May showed APOE E4, which is associated with late onset Alz. In addition her p-tau-217 was high. The Beta-amyloid 42/40 ratio also supported the diagnosis. She is 82 yo.

That's where we are now. Her short term memory is poor and she is prone to frequent repetition.