The central nervous system is a thin and fragile structure. In dysfunctional disorders, mild concussion is sufficient in the form of impaired blood circulation, changes in trophism, and inflammatory processes.
All of these phenomena are potentially dangerous and have neurological deficiencies in the early days.
Cognitive impairment is never accidental. Even overwork, long-term stress, has a pathological effect, through a complete diagnosis (chronic fatigue syndrome).
Remedy requires treatment of the primary pathological process and the use of a group of symptomatic medications.
Memory enhancement tablets are a common name for many drugs that restore cerebral blood flow, metabolic processes, or other qualitatively affect brain functional activity.
The impact can be very different, here's a little list of principles for action:
- Normalization of blood circulation in the central nervous system.
- Restoration of the rate 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).
- Keeping the central nervous system in a normal state, activating natural regenerative phenomena.
Each effect corresponds to one or more groups of medicines at the same time. Let’s examine them in more detail.
Medications and how they work
Medicines of the types described below should not be taken without your doctor's permission. Indeed, some of these are safe, such as the same vitamins. However, it destroys the body with excess material.
Serious side effects, including allergic reactions, are also possible.
Cerebrovascular drugs
Simply put, cerebral circulation correctors. According to world statistics, disorders of central nervous system trophism are one of the most important deaths among the world’s population. Conditions such as stroke, encephalopathy, are well known even to people without special medical knowledge.
All disorders of cerebral blood flow clearly provoke disorders of memory, thinking, concentration, and learning. Gradually, they only get worse.
Cerebrovascular drugs are a broad group of drugs, with about a hundred items in the category of correctors.
If you name the most popular and common medicines:
Cinnarizine
Basis of action - dilation of cerebral vessels, violation of the penetration of calcium ions through the walls of large arteries.
However, the drug has no effect on channel pressure at all and can therefore be prescribed to patients with cardiovascular pathology at any stage of the disorder.
The drug is quite old, but it is still actively used because it gives minimal side effects, is well tolerated and has extensive pharmacological activity.
Vinpocetine
has similar properties, but can be considered more powerful. It is prescribed for ischemic processes in the brain. Including as a means of rapid recovery after stroke.
Caution: Unlike Cinnarizine, it lowers blood pressure slightly.
Portability is still good. It can be used as a drug to prevent central nervous system pathologies.
Suitable for long-term use.
Piracetam
Strictly speaking, not quite a cerebrovascular drug. It is a combined drug that can be described as a corrector of central nervous system trophism and a nootropic. Piracetam improves brain activity, concentration, increases the ability to memorize information.
For patients prescribed for cardiovascular diseases, secondary brain disorders, neuroendocrine disorders and other dangerous conditions. Versatile in its own way.
Well tolerated, assigned by courses. It is not recommended to use it for too long because the effect is sharply reduced.
Deproteinized calf blood hemoderative
This is a complex drug. It restores normal blood circulation to the brain, improves its function, corrects metabolic processes, promotes brain tissue regeneration and increases efficiency.
The product is made from calf blood ingredients. Proteins themselves have a huge allergic potential, so there is a risk of an immune response, an inappropriate reaction in the body’s defenses.
It makes sense to gradually increase the dose and monitor your health closely.
There are also herbal medicines, but they are not considered medicines. These are dietary supplements, so there should be no serious hopes for them.
Each of the above groups is represented by several additional trade names (manufacturers register different variations).
Which treatment should be chosen depends on the severity and characteristics of the clinical case. The resolution of the issue remains at the discretion of the practitioner.
The cerebrovascular system has different tolerances, they have their own properties. The likelihood of side effects is determined individually; if suspicious symptoms occur, you should contact your professional again.
Nootropics
A broad group of drugs that partially covers other categories that are presented and described here.
These types of drugs affect health in several ways:
- Stabilization of cell membranes. This increases the strength of the cytoplasmic membrane and the tolerance of loads at the micro level.
- Production of energy-intensive compounds. As a result, the brain, the structure of nerve tissue is provided with useful substances, improving memory.
- Accelerate the transport and utilization of glucose. As a result, brain cells receive more food and absorb it better.
- Acceleration of nerve impulse transmission in brain structures.
Nootropics are memory pills that improve concentration, speed, and quality of thinking, and are represented by several subgroups:
acetylcholine precursors
Meclofenoxate, deanol aceglumate. At the biochemical level, they stimulate the work of the brain, increasing the intensity of transmission of nerve impulses.
Well tolerated, but only in measured doses. Excessive use or exceeding the concentration of the active substance can cause seizures, psychotic disorders and brain disorders.
Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
Pyrrolidine derivatives
Piracetam, Aniracetam, Dupracetam and a dozen more variations. They are roughly identical in terms of clinical efficacy. Only the most important indications differ: one drug is effective in prevention, the other as a measure of recovery from stroke, and so on.
Many of the names described are complex therapies that affect many aspects of pathology: abnormalities in brain biochemistry, quality of cerebral blood flow, and arrest oxidative processes in the central nervous system.
Amino Acids
The most popular option is glycine. The drug is universal and is prescribed for both adult patients and children.
has quite a bit of specific activity. Therefore, it is not suitable for the correction of complex pathological processes.
In support of basic technology or disease prevention - does an excellent job. Amino acids, like other organic compounds, can cause allergies. Therefore, you must exercise maximum discretion when receiving.
Peptides
Memory-enhancing drugs are prescribed to measure the prevention or recovery of brain function after TBI, stroke, and inflammatory processes.
They have no hormonal activity, virtually no allergic reactions due to the high degree of cleansing.
It is often used as a basis for the therapy of minor or moderate diseases.
GABA analogs
gamma-amino acid et al. Are inexpensive tablets to enhance brain activity. They mimic the effect of a special organic substance that accelerates the transmission of nerve impulses in brain structures.
These types of drugs have other effects: antiplatelet, psychostimulant, sedative. True, to a very small extent.
These funds are suitable for long-term use.
Pyrodoxine derivatives
Powerful drugs, stimulants of tissue metabolism. They help to improve memory and brain function, eliminate excessive nervous tension, correct addictive manifestations (alcohol, nicotine cravings). But you can't take them for a long time.
Nootropics are not comic drugs. Any recommendation to “overstretch” the brain that is so actively debated on the net is a dangerous delusion.
Funds may only be used for indications if direct medical approval is required. If funds are watered incorrectly, according to an incorrect scheme, with excessive dosing, the biochemistry of the brain can become chaotic.
It is full of psychoses, increased risk of schizophrenia, extrapyramidal disorders (seizures, physical activity problems).
Most of the tablets described to improve memory and brain function can only be taken by adults: the child's nerve tissue, the biochemistry of the central nervous system have not yet settled, and the risk of mental death is high even if taken correctly.
Antioxidants and vitamins
The oxidative process of cells is the phenomenon in which electrons are transferred from the atoms of the shell of a cytological structure to a substance that aggressively affects tissues.
The result is a violation of membrane integrity and cell death, as it is impossible to separate from the external environment, usually transporting materials. The reaction results in the formation of ions that can also destroy other structures.
If biochemistry is ignored, oxidation leads to the death of entire tissues and the gradual breakdown of body systems. The brain also suffers, so does memory, attention, thinking.
Interestingly, these phenomena are quite physiological, playing a key role in the aging process.
The challenge is to stop harmful change. Formulations of the antioxidant group may help in this.
can be divided into 3 major categories:
- Enzymes and minerals. The former are able to accelerate the natural processes in the body. Including the binding and rapid removal of free radicals from the body structure.
Minerals are components of many organic molecules. Their systems don’t know how to synthesize, the substances come from outside with food. Selenium, manganese and zinc are key elements in the fight against radicals.
- Flavanoids. Low molecular weight compounds. Due to their structural properties, they can bind free radicals themselves, binding charged particles (ions) to themselves. By their nature, they are organic structures.
The most famous are tannin, quercetin (found in tea and more), catechin (found in quality wines).
- Vitamins. A, E, B, C. They adequately cover the body against dangerous threats in adequate amounts.
Drugs that improve the memory of a group of antioxidants help with the main treatment, their task is to prevent pathological processes from the central nervous system, to slow down the aging of tissues, so they are suitable for elderly patients.
Medications for lipid metabolism disorders
Disorders of higher nerve activity can be caused by atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels.
This phenomenon is associated with abnormalities in the body's fat metabolism, the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels. As a result, a mechanical barrier to blood movement is created.
The trophism of brain structures suffers significantly. In later stages of the disorder, stroke is likely.
The pathological process can take years, gradually deteriorating the quality of memory and thinking. In this case, special medications are sufficient to restore the work of the central nervous system.
Clean the blood vessels to restore lipid metabolism:
- Statins. Inhibits fat production. This type of medicine should be used with caution. Especially the funds of the early generations. They cause many side effects.
- Fibrates are prescribed in combination with statins for certain forms of hyperlipidemia or as part of therapy.
- Nicotinic acid. It is appointed on the basis of indications only. Because the drug is difficult to tolerate.
Correction of brain disorders is performed using these tools in various combinations.
Medicines to lower blood pressure
Disorders of higher nervous activity may be associated with an increase in blood pressure. The trophism of brain tissue suffers. The result is a problem of memory, of attention.
These medicines are presented in several groups:
- Beta-blockers. Metoprolol tartrate, bisoprolol fumarate, propranolol hydrochloride and a dozen more variations.
- Calcium antagonists. Relax the blood vessels, liquefy the pressure level.
- ACE inhibitors. Medicines that slow down the production of a special substance, angiotensin. It increases the sound of the arteries.
- Diuretics. Medicines to remove excess fluid.
- Central tools for action. They themselves regulate the work of blood vessels at the level of the brain.
All are strictly applied as indicated.
Caution: Improper combinations "plant" your kidneys, your heart. This is the case when treatment is more dangerous than the disease itself.
Tools to increase blood pressure
Low blood pressure affects thinking and memory, and worse. Because there are problems with the work of the brain due to insufficient trophism of brain structures: memory, thinking.
Correcting low blood pressure is very difficult. Herbal preparations are prescribed (Eleutherococcus, Ginseng, Schisandra). Also tonic drugs. Any medication that increases blood pressure is described in this article.
The main role is attributed to the treatment of the primary pathology, the cause of the disorder. Also a change in lifestyle and diet.
This is not an easy task. I need the help of a knowledgeable cardiologist. Neurologists are involved as needed.
Precautions
Medicines, even if used correctly, can be a risk. To minimize these, there are a few nuances to keep in mind:
- Vitamins improve memory and attention, but only in physiologically appropriate doses: the "more, the more effective" principle, the development of hypervitaminosis, the heart, blood vessels, brain structures, connective tissues and endocrine disorders.
- Inadequate doses of nootropics lead to psychosis and nerve fiber destruction. Do not use without medical sanction and indication.
- Products based on plants, organic ingredients (proteins, amino acids, enzymes) often cause 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 system, are contraindicated in central nervous system tumors, disorders of the multiple sclerosis type in the relapse phase. Because pathological processes accelerate and worsen.
No medication should be taken on its own. The designation of the treatment is the last stage of the correction, the tip of the iceberg. It is preceded by a complete diagnosis.
You should always consult your doctor.
Memory corruption tests
Neurologists are examining the characteristics of the disorder. If necessary, cardiologists and endocrinologists will be involved in the case.
The following procedures are required to make a diagnosis:
- Ask the patient.
- Take a medical history.
- EEG. Examination of the electrical activity of the central nervous system.
- Duplex examination of cerebral vessels.
- Ultrasound technique that provides information about the structure and functional activity of arteries.
- Skull x-ray.
- MRI on demand.
- Blood pressure measurement: routine or daily.
- ECHO-KG, ECG. Heart research.
Memory medications are designed to combat the root cause. There is no point in correcting higher neural activity without eliminating the main culprit of the disorder.