The central nervous system is a thin and fragile structure. For dysfunctional disorders, a slight jolt is sufficient in the form of weakened blood circulation, changes in trophism and inflammatory processes.
All such phenomena are potentially dangerous, causing neurological deficits from the first days.
Cognitive impairment is never intentional. Even prolonged stress overwork has an abnormal effect, through a complete diagnosis (chronic fatigue syndrome).
To correct this situation, it is necessary to treat the primary pathological process and use a group of symptomatic drugs.
Memory enhancement pills are the generic name for a number of drugs that restore cerebral blood flow, metabolic processes, or qualitatively affect functional brain activity.
The effects can be very different, here is a small list of principles for action:
- Normalization of blood circulation in the central nervous system.
- Restoration of speed and quality of metabolism, biochemical processes in brain structures.
- Suspension of oxidative phenomena, restoration of brain cell integrity.
- Removal of cholesterol deposits, mechanical restoration of blood flow.
- Decrease or increase in blood pressure (depending on the nature of the pathological process).
- Maintains the central nervous system in a normal state, activates natural regenerative phenomena.
Each effect corresponds to one or more drug groups at once. Let us consider it in more detail.
Medicines and peculiarities of their action
Medicines of the types described below should not be taken without your doctor's approval. Indeed, some of them are safe, for example the same vitamins. But with excess substance, it begins to destroy the body.
In addition, serious side effects, including allergic reactions, may occur.
Cerebrovascular drugs
Put simply, a brain circulation corrector. According to world statistics, trophism disorders of the central nervous system are one of the leading causes of death in the world population. Conditions such as stroke, encephalopathy are even recognized by people who do not have special medical knowledge.
All disruptions to cerebral blood flow are obvious triggers for memory, thinking, concentration and learning disorders. Gradually, they got worse and worse.
Cerebrovascular drugs are a broad group of drugs, in the category of correctors you can count about a hundred items.
If you mention the most popular and common drugs:
Cinnarizine
Basic action - expansion of the blood vessels of the brain, violation of penetration of calcium ions through the walls of large arteries.
At the same time, the drug does not affect the pressure in the ducts at all, therefore it can be prescribed to patients with pathologies of the cardiovascular system at any stage of the disorder.
This drug is quite old, but is still actively used, because it has minimal side effects, is well tolerated and has a wide range of pharmacological activities.
Vinpocetine
Has similar properties, but is considered to be more powerful. It is prescribed for ischemic processes in the brain. Including, as a means of fast recovery after stroke.
Caution: Unlike Cinnarizine, it lowers blood pressure somewhat.
The portability is still good. It can be used as a medicine for the prevention of CNS pathologies.
Suitable for long-term use.
Piracetam
Actually, not cerebrovascular medicine. It is a combined drug that can be described as a trophism corrector of the central nervous system and at the same time a nootropic. Piracetam increases brain activity, concentration, and improves the ability to memorize information.
Prescribed for patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system, secondary disorders of the brain, neuroendocrine disorders and other dangerous conditions. Versatile in its ways.
Well tolerated, set by the course. It is not recommended to use it for too long, because the effect is sharply reduced.
Hemoderivative deproteinized calf blood
This is a complex drug. It restores normal blood circulation in the brain, improves its function, corrects metabolic processes, promotes regeneration of brain tissue and increases efficiency.
Product is prepared based on the component of calf blood. Protein has a very large allergic potential, therefore there is a risk of an immune response, an inadequate reaction in the body's defenses.
It makes sense to increase the dosage gradually and monitor health conditions closely.
There are also herbal medicines, but they are not considered drugs. These are dietary supplements, so you shouldn't get your hopes up on them.
Each of the groups above is represented by a few more trade names (manufacturers list various variations).
Which treatment to choose depends on the severity and characteristics of the clinical case. The solution to this problem remains at the discretion of the treating specialist.
Cerebrovascular has different tolerances, has its own characteristics. Possible side effects are determined individually; if suspicious symptoms appear, you will need to contact your specialist again.
Nootropics
Various groups of drugs, some of which cover other categories, are presented and described here.
Medicines of this kind affect health in several ways:
- Cell membrane stabilization. Due to this, the strength of the cytoplasmic membrane increases, tolerance of loads at the micro level.
- Increase the production of energy-valuable compounds. Provides the structure of the brain, the nervous network with beneficial substances, as a result, improves memory.
- Acceleration of glucose transport and utilization. Thanks to this, the brain cells receive more nutrients and absorb them better.
- Acceleration of transmission of nerve impulses in cerebral structures.
Nootropics are pills to remember, improve concentration, speed and quality of thinking, they are represented by a number of subgroups:
Acetylcholine Precursors
Meclofenoxate, deanol aceglumate. At the biochemical level, they stimulate the work of the brain, increasing the intensity of the transmission of nerve impulses.
Well tolerated, but only in measured doses. With excessive use or exceeding the concentration of active substances, they provoke seizures, psychotic disorders and brain disorders.
Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
A pyrrolidine derivative
Piracetam, Aniracetam, Dupracetam and a dozen other variations. In terms of clinical efficacy, they are almost identical. Only the key indications are different: one drug is effective for prevention, the other as a measure of recovery from stroke, etc.
Many of the names described are complex treatments affecting several aspects of the pathology: disturbances in brain biochemistry, quality of cerebral blood flow, and stopping of oxidative processes in the central nervous system.
Amino Acids
The most popular option is Glycine. The drug is universal, it is prescribed for both adult and pediatric patients.
Has a little specific activity. Therefore, it is not suitable for the correction of complex pathological processes.
As an aid to basic techniques or disease prevention - it works really well. Amino acids, like other organic compounds, can trigger allergies. Therefore, when receiving, you need to exercise maximum discretion.
Peptides
Medication to improve memory is prescribed as a measure of prevention or recovery of brain function after TBI, stroke, and inflammatory processes.
They have no hormonal activity, because high levels of purification practically do not provoke allergic reactions.
Often used as a basis for therapy for diseases of mild and moderate severity.
Analog GABA
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid and others are inexpensive pills to increase brain activity. They mimic the action of special organic substances that speed up the transmission of nerve impulses in brain structures.
This type of drug also has other effects: antiplatelet, psychostimulating, sedative. Right, to a lesser extent.
These funds are suitable for long-term use.
Pyrodoxin derivatives
Powerful drugs that stimulate tissue metabolism. They help improve memory and brain function, relieve excessive nervous tension, improve the manifestations of addiction (craving for alcohol, nicotine). But you can't take it for a long time.
Nootropics is not a comic book drug. All the recommendations about brain "overclocking", so actively discussed on the internet, are dangerous delusions.
Funds can only be taken on indication, if there is an immediate doctor's approval. If funds are taken incorrectly, according to the wrong scheme, in excessive doses, the biochemistry of the brain can go into a state of chaos.
It is fraught with psychosis, increased risk of schizophrenia, extrapyramidal disorders (seizures, problems with physical activity).
Most of the pills described for memory and brain function enhancement can only be taken by adults: the neural network of the child, the biochemistry of the central nervous system is not yet formed, the risk of mental damage is high even with a competent and correct intake according to the scheme.
Antioxidants & Vitamins
Cell oxidative processes are the phenomenon of transitioning electrons from shell atoms to cytological structures to substances that aggressively affect the tissue.
The result is a violation of membrane integrity and cell death due to the impossibility of separating from the outside environment, usually transporting substances. As a result of the reaction, ions are formed, which are also capable of destroying other structures.
If we ignore biochemistry, oxidation causes the death of the whole tissue, the gradual degradation of the body's systems. The brain also suffers, and therefore memory, attention, thought.
Interestingly, these phenomena are quite physiological, they play one of the key roles in the aging process.
The challenge is stopping bad changes. The preparations from the antioxidant group can help in this.
They can be divided into 3 broad categories:
- Enzymes and minerals. The first has the ability to speed up natural processes in the body. Including, the binding of free radicals and their rapid removal from body structures.
Minerals are the building blocks of many organic molecules. Their system does not know how to synthesize, substances come from outside with food. The key elements that fight radicals are selenium, manganese and zinc.
- Flavanoids. Low molecular weight compounds. Due to their structural features, they can self-bind free radicals, attaching charged particles (ions) to themselves. By its very nature, this is an organic structure.
The most famous are tannins, quercetin (found in tea and not only), catechins (found in fine wines).
- Vitamins. A, E, B, C. In sufficient numbers, they reliably cover the body from dangerous threats.
Medicines to improve memory of the antioxidant group act as the main medicinal aid, their task is to prevent pathological processes of the central nervous system, slow down tissue aging, therefore it is suitable for elderly patients.
Drugs for lipid metabolism disorders
Impaired higher neural activity can be caused by atherosclerosis of the vessels of the brain.
This phenomenon is associated with disorders of fat metabolism in the body, cholesterol deposition in the walls of blood vessels. As a result, mechanical barriers to blood movement are created.
Trophism of the cerebral structures suffers significantly. In the later stages of the disorder, a stroke is likely.
The pathological process can last for years, gradually worsening the quality of memory and thinking. To restore the work of the central nervous system, in this case special drugs are sufficient.
To restore lipid metabolism, clean blood vessels:
- Statins. Inhibits fat production. This type of drug must be used with caution. Especially early generation funds. They cause many side effects.
- Fibrates are prescribed for some forms of hyperlipidemia or as part of concomitant therapy with statins.
- Nicotinic acid. Designated only as indicated. Because the drug is difficult to tolerate.
Correction of brain disorders is performed using these methods in different combinations.
Blood pressure lowering drugs
Impaired higher nerve activity may be associated with increased blood pressure. The trophic tissue of the brain suffers. The result is problems with memory, attention.
These drugs are presented in several groups:
- Beta blocker. Metoprolol tartrate, Bisoprolol fumarate, Propranolol hydrochloride and dozens of other variations.
- Calcium antagonists. Relax blood vessels, relieve pressure level.
- ACE inhibitors. Drugs that slow down the production of a special substance, angiotensin. It increases the tone of the arteries.
- Diuretics. Medicines that remove excess fluid.
- Central Means of Action. They regulate the work of blood vessels at the level of the brain itself.
All are strictly enforced according to indications.
Caution: Incorrect combination "implants" kidney, heart. This is a situation when treatment is more dangerous than the disease itself.
Means to increase blood pressure
Low blood pressure values affect thinking and memory, and are even worse. Because with insufficient trophism of the cerebral structures, there are problems in the work of the brain: with memory, thinking.
Correction of low blood pressure is difficult. Herbal preparations are prescribed (Eleutherococcus, Ginseng, Schisandra). Also a tonic drug. All drugs that increase blood pressure are described in this article.
The main role assigned to the treatment of primary pathology, the cause of the disorder. Also changes in lifestyle and diet.
This is no easy task. I need the help of a competent cardiologist. Neuroscientists are involved as needed.
Prevention
Medicines, even when used correctly, can pose risks. To minimize it, keep in mind a few nuances:
- Vitamins improve memory and attention, but only in doses according to physiology: the principle of "the more, the more effective" does not work here, the development of hypervitaminosis, disorders of the heart, blood vessels, brain structure, connective tissue, andendocrine system.
- Nootropic in wrong dosage causes psychosis, nerve fiber damage. They cannot be used without doctor's sanction, indications.
- Products made from plants, organic components (proteins, amino acids, enzymes) often trigger allergies. This is a consequence of their nature. Therefore, you need to take care of your health.
- Pills that improve brain function, including nootropics, cerebrovascular contraindication in central nervous system tumors, multiple sclerosis type disorders in the relapse phase. Because the pathological process will accelerate and worsen.
No medicine should be taken alone. The appointment of treatment is the last stage of correction, the tip of the iceberg. This is preceded by a complete diagnosis.
In all cases you need to contact your specialist.
Check required for memory errors
Neuroscientists are studying the characteristics of the disorder. If necessary, a cardiologist and endocrinologist will take part in this case.
To make a diagnosis, you will need the following procedure:
- Interview the patient.
- Take anamnesis.
- EEG. To investigate the electrical activity of the central nervous system.
- Duplex scan of brain blood vessels.
- An ultrasound technique that provides information about the structure and functional activity of arteries.
- X-rays of the skull.
- MRI on request.
- Blood pressure measurement: routine or daily.
- ECHO-KG, ECG. Heart research.
Memory medicine is designed to fight the root cause. There is no point in correcting higher neural activity without eliminating the root cause of the disorder.