157,158 Although little empirical data exist, there is a clinical selleckchem consensus that modulating the selleck chemicals llc environment may be very helpful to the AD patient, in particular in ensuring that their daily routine is consistent and their daily environment is

not overstimulating. It has also been suggested that providing feedback with respect to orientating AD patients to time of day, place, and person in an informal but consistent, fashion may Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical at the very least alleviate the anxiety associated with loss of cognitive function. Still others suggest that some AD patients may benefit from exposure to the outside world through newspapers, radio, and television. Mittelman et al159 found that providing both information and emotional support, appeared to improve quality of life indices and even

delayed nursing home placement. Most recently, the culmination of these views has been reflected in an increased focus on the role of occupational therapy in the management of dementia symptoms. Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical The COPE (Caregiver Options for Practical Experience) study aims to further develop the role of occupational therapists for working with dementia patients. Deficits and strengths in a variety of sensorimotor, cognitive, neuromusculoskeletal, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical and psychological domains are assessed. Based upon this assessment the occupational therapist, then works with the patient and their caregivers to design individualized approaches to reducing the barriers to optimal functioning.160 Future directions in Alzheimer’s disease Despite the burgeoning research exploring Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical a broad variety of pathophysiological approaches and pharmacological compounds for the treatment of AD, observed improvements in cognitive symptoms have been modest at best, even with the most efficacious approaches. Statistical significance does not, always translate into clinical significance, and improvements on such measures as the ADAS-Cog or MMSE are often not associated with similar improvements on clinical rating scales,

measures of IADL, or patient or caregiver Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical ratings of function. Even when improvement or stabilization of cognitive function occurs, such benefits invariably do not sustain. While approaches such as reduction of β-amyloid may yield more efficacious treatments in the future, current approaches are limited. As Skoog and Gustafson161 emphasize, Entinostat the evidence suggests that secondary prevention is particularly important with respect to AD. Secondary prevention occurs when an illness is detected early, in the preclinical stage, at which point treatment can be implemented to prevent it from progressing to the clinical phase of the illness. Recognition that agents such as estrogen may protect against, rather than treat AD has also fueled the emphasis on the secondary prevention of AD.