Beyond Traditional Dementia Treatments

If someone close to you is struggling with memory loss, confusion, or difficulty managing everyday tasks and traditional treatments aren’t helping, you may feel like there’s no hope. 

At Wyckoff Wellness Center in Wyckoff, New Jersey, Michael Gentile, MD, understands how hard it can be for everyone involved when conventional treatments just aren’t producing results.

He’s happy to share more in this month’s blog about a promising new option — ketamine infusion therapy — and how it can help treat dementia and neurocognitive disorders.

Understanding dementia and neurocognitive disorders

Dementia is not a single disease. It’s an umbrella word for a group of conditions that affect memory, reasoning, thinking, and the ability to perform daily functions. 

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common and well-known form, but there are many, many others, such as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

Neurocognitive disorder is a medical term often used interchangeably with dementia. It refers to a sharp decline in memory and decision-making abilities that interfere with independence. 

If the symptoms are mild but still noticeable, doctors and psychiatrists refer to it as mild neurocognitive disorder. 

Unfortunately, dementia develops over time and is progressive. Except for small, short-lived improvements in symptoms, you can’t stop dementia with traditional medications.

Why traditional treatments feel limited

​​Most dementia treatments focus on managing symptoms. Some of the most prescribed medications do help with behavior, memory, and attention. Still, the improvements are mild at best and come with some uncomfortable side effects like nausea, fatigue, and headaches.

For these reasons, you may feel stuck trying to help your loved one.

How ketamine infusion therapy can help  

Ketamine has long been used as an anesthetic, and in recent years, low-dose ketamine infusions have gained attention for their role in treating depression, chronic pain (like fibromyalgia), and PTSD. 

In our clinic, we’re seeing great results in the treatment of dementia and neurocognitive disorders, too. Here’s how ketamine is helping:

Mood and behavior improvements

Many people with dementia struggle with depression, anxiety, or agitation. Ketamine’s rapid antidepressant effects can ease emotional distress, which in turn supports overall quality of life.

Cognitive benefits

Ketamine has positive effects on memory, executive functioning, and attention.

Neuroplasticity support

One of ketamine’s best-known attributes is its ability to encourage the brain to form new connections between neurons. Since pathways are damaged or lost in dementia, this surge in neuroplasticity helps strengthen circuits and improve function.

Anti-inflammatory benefits

Inflammation contributes to neurodegenerative decline. Ketamine reduces inflammation in your loved one’s brain, improving their overall brain health.

What you can expect from ketamine treatment

If you’re considering ketamine infusion therapy for dementia or a neurodegenerative condition, here’s what you can expect in our office here in Wyckoff, New Jersey.

We start with a consultation, which includes reviewing your medical history, current medications, and cognitive symptoms to see if ketamine may be an appropriate option for you.

We administer and monitor low-dose ketamine through an IV in a serene environment. For best results, we usually recommend a series of sessions.

During follow-up appointments, we evaluate improvements in your mood, cognition, and behavior and adjust the plan as needed.

Ketamine isn’t a cure for dementia, but many of our patients and their families see meaningful improvements that boost quality of life. 

If you’d like to learn more about how ketamine can help when traditional treatments have not, call our office to schedule an in-person or virtual consultation. You can also request an appointment quickly and easily online.