Symptomatic Alzheimer’s treatments are meant to help someone function a little better for a while. Drugs such as donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and memantine can improve or stabilize cognition and behavior, but they do not change the underlying disease process.
Disease-modifying treatments are different. They target Alzheimer’s biology itself, especially amyloid, with the goal of slowing progression rather than only easing symptoms. The current approved examples are anti-amyloid antibodies used in early Alzheimer’s, such as lecanemab and donanemab.
That distinction matters because a person can feel somewhat better on a symptomatic drug while the disease still keeps moving underneath. The first type treats the consequences; the second tries to alter the course.
Sources
This is general information, not professional medical advice. For decisions about your situation, talk to a qualified professional.
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