http://respiratoryrally.org/copd-disease/dementia-drugs-for-copd-related-cognitive-decline Sat, 10 Apr 2010 12:45:59 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 http://respiratoryrally.org/copd-disease/dementia-drugs-for-copd-related-cognitive-decline/comment-page-1#comment-3275 etpilot Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:55:59 +0000 http://respiratoryrally.org/copd-disease/dementia-drugs-for-copd-related-cognitive-decline#comment-3275 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.<br><b>References : </b><br>I treated many patients with COPD-related cognitive decline. 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.
References :
I treated many patients with COPD-related cognitive decline.

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