Dementia

Tovani does not treat this with ketamine

This page is here for honesty and completeness. Ketamine is not an appropriate treatment for Dementia, and in some cases it is contraindicated. Below is what the condition is and the treatments that genuinely help — and where, if at all, ketamine has any narrow role (usually only for a separate co-occurring depression). If you’re in crisis, call or text 988.

The short version

●Dementia is a progressive decline in memory, thinking, and function caused by brain disease (Alzheimer's being the most common) — distinct from normal aging and from the reversible "pseudodementia" of depression.
●There is no ketamine indication for dementia; ketamine does not treat the underlying neurodegeneration or restore cognition.
●Treatment focuses on the specific disease (e.g., cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, and newer disease-modifying agents for Alzheimer's), managing symptoms, supporting caregivers, and addressing reversible contributors.
●Much of dementia risk is modifiable — the Lancet Commission identifies numerous risk factors that can be addressed across the lifespan.¹
●Depression and dementia can overlap and co-occur, and depression can mimic dementia ("pseudodementia") — so treating depression is important, but that is different from treating dementia.
●Tovani does not treat dementia; where a clearly diagnosed, treatment-resistant depression co-occurs, that depression is a separate question handled with appropriate caution.

Clinical definition

Dementia (DSM-5 major neurocognitive disorder) is an acquired, usually progressive decline in one or more cognitive domains (memory, executive function, language, attention, visuospatial ability, social cognition) that is significant enough to interfere with independence in everyday activities, and is not better explained by delirium or another psychiatric disorder. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause; others include vascular, Lewy body, and frontotemporal dementias, often in combination. It is distinct from normal age-related changes and from the cognitive impairment of depression ("pseudodementia"), which is reversible with treatment — an important distinction, since depression both mimics and co-occurs with dementia. Dementia involves underlying neurodegeneration or vascular damage that current treatments slow or manage but do not reverse, and ketamine has no role in treating it.

How it differs from related conditions

vs. Depression ("pseudodementia")

Depression can cause reversible cognitive impairment that mimics dementia; treating the depression restores cognition, which is why distinguishing the two is essential.

vs. Delirium

An acute, fluctuating, often reversible confusional state (from infection, medications, metabolic causes) — distinct from the chronic, progressive course of dementia.

vs. Mild cognitive impairment

Cognitive decline beyond normal aging but not yet impairing independence; a risk state for dementia.

vs. Normal aging

Mild slowing without functional impairment, distinct from the disabling decline of dementia.

First-line treatments

Disease-specific medication

Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine for symptomatic benefit in Alzheimer's; newer disease-modifying anti-amyloid agents in selected early Alzheimer's.

Treating reversible contributors

Identifying and managing depression, medication effects, thyroid, B12, sleep, and sensory impairment that worsen cognition.

Risk-factor modification

Addressing the modifiable dementia risk factors (hearing, hypertension, physical activity, social engagement, and more) identified by the Lancet Commission.¹

Caregiver support and care planning

Education, support, and structured care planning are central to quality of life for patients and families.

When standard treatments fail

Dementia is progressive, and "treatment failure" is reframed as ongoing symptom management, support, and addressing reversible contributors and behavioral symptoms as they arise — within specialist (memory clinic, geriatric, or neurology) care. Ketamine is not part of dementia treatment. The one adjacent issue is a co-occurring depression, which is treated on its own terms with appropriate caution in older adults.

Where ketamine fits

Ketamine is not a treatment for dementia and has no role in reversing or slowing the underlying neurodegeneration — claims that it "helps memory" in the sense of treating dementia are not supported. The one legitimate and separate question is depression, which both mimics dementia (reversible "pseudodementia," where treating the depression restores cognition) and genuinely co-occurs with it. Where an older adult has a clearly diagnosed, treatment-resistant depression alongside cognitive decline, ketamine for that depression could in principle be considered — but cautiously, by clinicians experienced with older adults and the relevant medical comorbidities, and not as a treatment for the dementia itself. Tovani does not treat dementia.

Where this fits with Tovani

Tovani does not treat dementia. The appropriate care is a memory clinic, geriatric medicine, or neurology, with disease-specific treatment, management of reversible contributors, and caregiver support. The only adjacent scenario is a co-occurring, clearly diagnosed treatment-resistant depression, which is a separate question requiring caution in older adults and coordination with their medical team — not a reason to treat the dementia with ketamine.

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Frequently asked

Can ketamine help dementia or memory loss?

No. Ketamine does not treat the brain disease behind dementia or restore lost cognition. Claims that it "helps memory" don't apply to treating dementia. The treatments that help are disease-specific medications, managing reversible contributors, risk-factor modification, and caregiver support.

My memory problems came with depression — could that be reversible?

Possibly. Depression can cause cognitive impairment that mimics dementia ("pseudodementia") and reverses when the depression is treated — which is exactly why distinguishing depression from dementia matters. A clinician can help sort this out, and treating the depression is worthwhile regardless.

What actually treats dementia?

For Alzheimer's: cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine for symptoms, and newer disease-modifying agents in selected early cases. Across dementias: treating reversible contributors, modifying risk factors, and supporting caregivers — within specialist memory, geriatric, or neurology care.

Does Tovani treat dementia?

No — it's not a ketamine indication. We'd direct you to a memory clinic or neurology. The only adjacent issue is a co-occurring, clearly diagnosed treatment-resistant depression, which is a separate, cautious question for clinicians experienced with older adults.

References

Livingston G et al. 2025, The Lancet — Lancet Commission work on dementia prevention, intervention, and care, including the substantial proportion of dementia risk attributable to modifiable factors. (PMID 39986746)
Sanacora G et al. 2017, JAMA Psychiatry — APA consensus on ketamine for mood disorders, relevant only to a separately diagnosed co-occurring depression, with caution in older adults. (PMID 28249076)

Last reviewed by Dr. Ben Soffer, DO on May 31, 2026. This page is educational and not a substitute for clinical evaluation. A physician determines whether ketamine therapy is appropriate for your specific situation.