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Is there a cure for dementia?
Dementia is a term for a group of progressive neurological conditions that affect memory, thinking, and behaviour. There is no cure for dementia.
Currently treatment is focussed on:
- Slowing disease progression with disease-modifying drugs.
- Managing cognitive and behavioural symptoms (combining medication + therapy)
- Improving independence and quality of life
Today, people living with the disease dementia can take certain medications that will boost memory and help someone to function better in daily life.
There are also therapies and lifestyle changes that can ease symptoms, and improve quality of life.
Key points
- No cure yet – but dementia treatments can slow progression of the disease and help to manage symptoms
- Anti-amyloid drugs (donanemab & lecanemab) are approved in the UK but not available on the NHS
- Four main anti-dementia drugs (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, memantine) are available on the NHS
- Therapies and lifestyle changes – including Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, exercise, and diet can play a key role
Disease-modifying treatments: Anti-amyloid drugs
Two anti-amyloid drugs – donanemab and lecanemab have been approved as dementia treatments in the UK. They work by targeting amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
They are not available on the NHS as they do not pass the threshold for being cost effective.
Lecanemab was rejected by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for use on the NHS in England and Wales in 2024.
In February 2025, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) turned down Lecanemab, which costs £60,000 a year, for use in Scotland.
The treatment’s costs were viewed as too high and the evidence backing the drug wasn’t strong enough.
Hilary Evans-Newton, chief executive at Alzheimer’s Research UK, called it a “heartbreaking setback” for people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
She said: “Like first-generation treatments for other diseases, lecanemab has modest benefits and side effects that need careful monitoring. But it can offer people with early-stage Alzheimer’s the chance to slow down this devastating disease and that’s a chance they deserve.”
Donanemab works in the same way as lecanemab. They both target amyloid plaques in the brain.
Anti-dementia treatments (available on the NHS)
These medications slow memory loss, reduce anxiety, boost alertness, and support daily functioning.
Cholinesterase Inhibitors
These medicines stop an enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine in the brain, a neurotransmitter which helps nerve cells to communicate with each other.
Cholinesterase inhibitors tend to be prescribed for people living with early to middle stage dementia. They seem to be most effective in the first six to 12 months of taking the medication.
| Drug | Brand | Best For | Benefits |
| Donepezil | Aricept | All stages of Alzheimer’s, Dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s disease dementia | Improves memory and daily function; cheapest and recommended first |
| Rivastigmine | Exelon | Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s-related dementia | Good option for hallucinations |
| Galantamine | Reminyl | Mild–moderate Alzheimer’s | Boosts motivation and concentration |
Common side effects of these drugs include: Nausea, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, headaches, muscle cramps, dizziness and being unable to sleep at night.
NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Memantine (Ebixa, Marixino, Valios)
Memantine is good for people who are unable to tolerate or cannot take acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. This is because they can suffer bad side effects or due to a medical condition.
- Protects brain cells from glutamate damage
- Is prescribed for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s
- Can reduce aggression, agitation, and delusions
- Can be combined with a cholinesterase inhibitor for added benefit
Common side effects: Headaches, dizziness, raised blood pressure and constipation. However these tend to be temporary.
Combination treatments
A study in 2024 found the combined use of Donepezil and Memantine significantly increased the probability of a person living for five years. This was compared to if the person took no medication or took just Donepezil or just Memantine.
Some patients also benefit from galantamine + memantine to reduce anxiety and improve thinking ability and behaviour.
Men and women can experience medicine combinations differently. So this needs to be taken into consideration.
Medication for behavioural symptoms
As the disease progresses, people may experience agitation, aggression, hallucinations, and delusions.
Treatment may include:
- Antidepressants: sertraline, trazodone, mirtazapine (watch for citalopram side effects)
- Antipsychotics: risperidone (short-term not more than six weeks, monitored use), haloperidol (this should be a last resort due to the risk of stroke)
- Anticonvulsants: occasionally used for aggressive behaviour but with limited evidence
A consultant psychiatrist must ideally prescribe any medication that is given for behavioural symptoms and check the person regularly to reduce any risks.
Therapies that support dementia care
| Therapy | How it helps |
| Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) | Group activities improve memory, problem-solving |
| Reminiscence Therapy | Uses music, photos, and stories to improve mood & communication |
| Occupational Therapy | Maintains independence and adapts the home environment to reduce confusion and hazards |
| Physical Exercise | Improves mood and may slow decline |
| Social Interaction | Reduces isolation and supports mental health |
Care homes use a whole range of therapies for people with dementia from dementia dolls to animal therapy. You can read more about the dementia therapies available in care homes in our article Dementia therapies in care homes: Types and benefits.
Lifestyle changes
- Diet: A Mediterranean or MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet supports brain health. This type of diet is a plant-based diet which is rich in leafy greens, berries, nuts, whole grains, fish, and olive oil.
- Sleep: A good sleep helps reduce confusion and anxiety
- Mental stimulation: Puzzles, reading, and learning new skills can keep the brain active
Emerging and experimental treatments
| Approach | Goal |
| Anti-Tau treatments | Target tau protein tangles (under clinical trial) |
| Immunotherapy | Enhance immune system to clear toxic proteins |
| Gene therapy and stem cells | Repair or replace damaged neurons |
| Digital and VR therapies | Brain training, neurofeedback, cognitive tracking |
These are still in their research phases but they may be able to transform dementia care in the coming decade.
Is treatment free?
Yes – if the dementia treatments have been prescribed on the NHS:
- England: Free for those aged 60+ or for those who are exempt
- Scotland, Wales, NI: All prescriptions are free
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