Memory Digest

Treatments by Dementia Type

Treatment depends on the type of dementia; a plain-language guide to what is used for Alzheimer's, vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal, Parkinson's and mixed dementia, including which medicines can cause harm.

Last reviewed: October 2026

"Dementia" is an umbrella term. The cause matters, because a medicine that helps one type can do little for another, or even cause harm. That's one big reason to get an accurate diagnosis (see Getting a Diagnosis). This guide summarizes the main options for each type. Your own doctor will tailor treatment to the person.

For every type, non-drug approaches are the foundation: routines, a safe home, exercise, social activity, good sleep, treating hearing and vision problems, and support for caregivers. See Non-Drug Treatments for Dementia.

Alzheimer's disease

The most common cause of dementia, and the one with the most treatment options. The National Institute on Aging groups them like this:

• Drugs that slow early disease. Lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla) remove amyloid from the brain and modestly slow decline in people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia who have confirmed amyloid. They require regular infusions and MRI monitoring for ARIA, and are not for everyone.
• Drugs that ease symptoms. Donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine are used across mild to severe stages. Memantine is used for moderate to severe stages, alone or with donepezil. These can help memory and daily function for a time but don't stop the disease.
• Drugs for behavior and sleep. Brexpiprazole (Rexulti) is FDA-approved for agitation due to Alzheimer's dementia, and suvorexant (Belsomra) has been studied for sleep problems in Alzheimer's. All antipsychotics carry a boxed warning about higher risk of death in older people with dementia (see Antipsychotics and Dementia: Risks).

See Alzheimer's Disease.

Vascular dementia

Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, such as strokes or damage to small blood vessels.

• The main goal is preventing more damage: controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, not smoking, staying active and, when a doctor advises it, taking medicines to prevent clots or stroke. See Blood Pressure and the Brain.
• No drugs are FDA-approved specifically for vascular dementia. Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine are sometimes tried, especially when Alzheimer's is also present, but the benefit is usually small.
• Rehabilitation (physical, occupational and speech therapy) can help after a stroke.

See Vascular Dementia.

Lewy body dementia

Includes dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease dementia. It often causes visual hallucinations, swings in alertness, movement problems and acting out dreams during sleep.

• Cholinesterase inhibitors often help, sometimes more than in Alzheimer's, with thinking, alertness and hallucinations. Rivastigmine is FDA-approved for Parkinson's disease dementia.
• Movement symptoms may be treated with Parkinson's medicines such as carbidopa-levodopa, but these can worsen hallucinations, so doses are balanced carefully.
• Antipsychotic warning. The NIA warns that people with Lewy body dementia can have severe, even life-threatening reactions to some antipsychotic drugs. If they're used at all, it should be with great caution by an experienced doctor. Pimavanserin (Nuplazid) is approved for hallucinations and delusions in Parkinson's disease psychosis.
• Sleep problems, low blood pressure on standing, constipation and depression are treated individually.

See Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's Disease Dementia.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)

Affects behavior, personality or language, often starting in a person's 50s or 60s.

• No drugs are approved to slow or treat FTD.
• Alzheimer's drugs usually don't help and cholinesterase inhibitors may make some behavior symptoms worse.
• Antidepressants called SSRIs, and sometimes trazodone, may help with behaviors like compulsions, disinhibition or agitation. Antipsychotics are used rarely and cautiously.
• Speech therapy helps people with language forms such as Primary Progressive Aphasia.
• Structure, supervision and caregiver support are especially important.

See Frontotemporal Dementia.

Mixed dementia

Many older people have more than one cause, most often Alzheimer's plus vascular changes. Treatment combines approaches: Alzheimer's medicines plus careful control of blood pressure and other vascular risks. See Mixed Dementia.

Other causes

• Reversible causes like vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid problems, medication side effects and depression should always be checked and treated (see Reversible Causes of Memory Problems).
• Normal pressure hydrocephalus may improve with a surgical shunt.
• Alcohol-related brain damage can partly improve with stopping drinking and thiamine.
• LATE has no specific treatment yet; it often occurs alongside Alzheimer's.

Questions to ask the doctor

• What type of dementia do you think this is, and how sure are you?
• Which medicines might help, and what benefit should we expect?
• What side effects should we watch for?
• Are any current medicines making thinking worse? (See Medications That Can Affect Memory.)
• Are there clinical trials for this type? (See Joining a Clinical Trial.)

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your own doctor. Never start, stop or change a medicine without talking to the prescriber.

Sources

1. National Institute on Aging: How Is Alzheimer's Disease Treated?
2. National Institute on Aging: What Is Lewy Body Dementia? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
3. National Institute on Aging: What Are Frontotemporal Disorders? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
4. National Institute on Aging: Vascular Dementia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Not medical advice. This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual. Talk with a doctor about your situation.

Related articles

• Dementia Treatments: An Overview
• Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Memantine
• Memantine
• Lecanemab (Leqembi)
• Antipsychotics and Dementia: Risks