Clinical pharmacology of senile dementia

1. 1. The pharmacological approaches to the management of senile dementia are critically reviewed, with emphasis on the vasodilator drugs, drugs with combined vasodilator and cerebral activator effect, neurotransmitters and their precursors, neuropeptides, use of antioxidants, stimulants of protein biosynthesis, antiviral agents, chelating agents and anticoagulants. 2. 2. The assumptions underlying the use of the above agents and their limitations are discussed as well as the methodological problems encountered in setting up adequate drug trials in patients with senile dementia.