Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in older adults. The condition slowly destroys memory, thinking, behavior, and social skills, eventually making it impossible to carry out simple tasks. Recent data shows that Alzheimer's disease affects roughly 5.8 million Americans, and it was the sixth leading cause of death for Americans 65 and older in 2018.
Several Alzheimer's treatment options are available, and ongoing research into targeted treatments offers hope for the future.
Glutamate is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that sends messages in the brain. When in excess, glutamate becomes toxic to brain cells. Alzheimer's disease is associated with excess glutamate and a deficiency in another neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Among other things, glutamate activates the NMDA receptors in the brain, which is necessary for normal brain function, particularly for learning and memory. However, when these receptors are activated excessively, cell damage occurs.
Researchers believe NMDA receptor antagonists are neuroprotective. NMDA receptor antagonists do not stop the damage Alzheimer's causes, but one study showed this class of drugs delayed worsening cognitive performance over six months in one out of 10 people taking the drug.

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