Respiratory Rally

Dementia drugs for COPD-related cognitive decline?

My dad is 83 with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He uses supplemental oxygen most of the time. Last year, a neurologist diagnosed him with “mild cognitive impairment.” The Dr. feels it could be connected to COPD, since my dad’s bloodstream has less-than-ideal levels of oxygen, hence, his braincells are not getting as much oxy as they need. I think this is called hypoxemia (vs. hypoxia, which is total lack of oxy).

I’ve researched a bit on COPD-related mental decline, and it’s definitely real. My question is: how well do dementia drugs (i.e. for Alzheimer’s) work in a case like this? The doctor prescribed Aricept (classic Alzheimer’s drug). He didn’t promise anything, but said it’s worth a try.

I’m not sure if it’s helping. I know there are stronger Alzheimer’s drugs, one being Namenda. If anyone’s familiar with COPD/hypoxemic cognitive decline, I’d love to know more. My dad seems worse recently. I wonder if he has an age-related dementia on top of the COPD?

COPD-related cognitive impairment, as you know, is due to hypoxemia. It is not true dementia, but a form of pseudodementia. Because of the etiology, it will most likely not respond to standard dementia drugs.
You may be on the right track by asking if he may have a co-morbid dementia. A course of medication for dementia may help, but it isn’t likely to unless he really has Alzheimer’s. If he has had TIAs, something like Zyprexa may help (it reduces agitation and psychosis).
Your dad may benefit from seeing a neurologist to sort all of this out. The cognitive decline may be part of the downward course of the COPD, but the neurologist may be able to tell you, for sure.