NONE of the existing Alzheimer's drugs currently approved by the FDA actually improve cognitive function -- if they work at all (which is still a subject of debate), all they do is seemingly slow the rate of decline. If AVXL's drug actually improves functioning, this is an astonishing breakthrough. We can only hope, because otherwise there will still be no good treatment for the worst disease a person can have.

The only thing that seems to help somewhat is addition of coconut and MCT oil in pretty large amounts, into the diet. The theory is that brain cells lose the ability to use glucose for energy, but are able to use the medium-chain triglycerides for energy. Many people (including me) think that the stupid, unhealthy low-fat fad diet of the last several decades is in part responsible for the Alzheimer's epidemic. (And, in my opinion, also the diabetes epidemic.) If anyone reading the boards is dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer's, please check out the coconut oil/MCT oil idea -- there's a lot of information on various websites about this.