Don’t Let Your Memories Fade With Cognitive Decline.

We are hearing more and more these days about dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and age-related mental or cognitive decline. As yet, there does not appear to be a definitive cause, nor an imminent cure for these conditions, and, like many diseases, management of the symptoms is the current trend. To date, according to the World Health Organization, 29 million people suffer with dementia, and 18 million people worldwide have Alzheimer’s disease. While mainstream medical treatments have improved, there are quite a number of less well known options available. Most, mentioned in the following article, have been researched extensively over the years.

What else is available?

One compound, which has been in regular use in Germany for some time is called Memantine. It is derived from a naturally occurring compound called adamantine, which is found in teeth and other bony parts of the body. Anti aging expert, Dr Marios Kyriazis, is a strong supporter of the new, synthetic form of Memantine. It is believed to protect brain and nerve cells in patients with senile dementia, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and alcohol dependence. In a New York University research study, 175 patients suffering with advanced senile dementia were given Memantine over a six month period. Results indicated a deceleration in mental decline, as well as improved cognition by a credible 10 to 20%. Further, a Swedish study at the Karolinska Institute, discovered that Memantine aided memory, learning and general function in senile dementia patients by, on average, 20%.

Piracetam (Nootropil) is known as a nootropic or “Smart Drug”. These types of drugs stimulate the central nervous system to improve cognitive functions, including memory, attention and intelligence. Synthesized in 1964, as the first cognitive enhancement drug of its type, it does not have any toxic or addictive properties. Its mechanism of action remains unknown to date; however, it is known to increase blood flow and oxygen levels to the brain, and facilitates movement of information between the brain's two hemispheres.

Aniracetam, is also a nootropic drug, and is toxicologically one of the safest of its type. Evidence suggests that taking it regularly may enhance your memory, physical reflexes and mental alertness. It is part of the same family as Piracetam, but has higher AMPA receptor enhancing effects. These are thought to promote improved mental concentration and focus. Much of the research conducted on Aniracetam has been centered on its ability to effectively treat Dementia and, in particular, Alzheimer’s disease. Study results have noted improvements in memory and learning, as well as the additional benefits of reduction in anxiety, depression and sleep disorders.

Phosphatidylserine is a naturally occurring phospholipid nutrient, and is essential to the functioning of all cells of the body, particularly the brain. Phosphatidylserine is believed to enhance brain glucose metabolism, preventing the decline in the number of brain dendrites that occurs with age.

Pregnenolone is another drug referred to as a memory-enhancing hormone, synchronizing brain cells to maintain youthful mental function. Pregnenolone is manufactured from cholesterol and is the precursor of many steroids. A research study in 1995 illustrated that Pregnenolone was a potent memory enhancer, perhaps being 100 times more effective for memory than DHEA. In animals, high Pregnenolone levels are strongly associated with improved cognitive performance.

Hydergine is also known as a “memory enhancer”. The brain is rather susceptible to peroxidation, a process where oxygen reacts with unsaturated fats, as brain cells contain a large proportion of these fats. Hydergine stimulates brain cell metabolism, which in turn, increases oxygen flow to the brain, thereby having a positive effect on memory and mental clarity.

Centrophenoxine is a drug that has been effectively used to treat the symptoms of Senile Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It is known to be effective at fighting cerebral aging and may therefore be an effective weapon in fighting many age related diseases. Centrophenoxine successfully reduces lipofuscin levels (a type of metabolic waste product that accumulates in the brain, heart, lungs and skin cells). Research has discovered that the more lipofuscin within a cell, the less functional it becomes, until ultimately it dies. Human and animal studies have demonstrated that low lipofuscin levels correlate with healthy cellular function, and high levels are associated with poor cellular health. One study of 76 healthy elderly patients with marked intellectual deterioration, found that Centrophenoxine improved storage of new, long term memory information, while increasing vigilance and alertness, after several weeks of treatment.

Another member of the “smart drug” family is Vinpocetine. It is a semi-synthetic drug derived from Vincamine, a component extracted from the periwinkle plant. It is believed, with regular use, to improve cerebral blood flow, oxygen, energy, memory and mental acuity. Vinpocetine has been the subject of many research studies in different countries. Research carried out by Kiss and Karpati (1996) demonstrated an improvement in cerebral circulation and oxygen utilization without causing changes in systemic circulation, certain cerebral protection mechanisms, cognition-enhancing and anticonvulsant activity.

Selepryl is in a class of drugs that improves the availability of dopamine, by acting as a selective MAO-B inhibitor. It achieves this by enhancing and maintaining healthy brain cells (particularly in the dopamine producing neuron area of the brain called the Substantia Nigra).

Idebenone is a cerebral stimulant that increases brain energy levels and has a rejuvenating effect on the whole body. It is a synthetic variant of Coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10), which is an important antioxidant component of the lipid (fatty) membranes that surround all cells. A variety of studies using both human and animal brain cells demonstrate Idebenone's ability to enhance brain structure and function by improving serotonin production.