The central nervous system is a thin and fragile structure. For dysfunctional disorders, a slight twitch in the form of impaired blood circulation, changes in trophism and inflammatory processes are sufficient.
All such phenomena are potentially dangerous, they lead to neurological deficits from the first days.
Cognitive impairment is never accidental. Even overwork, prolonged stress has an abnormal effect, through a full 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 a general term for a number of drugs that restore cerebral blood flow, metabolic processes, or otherwise qualitatively affect the functional activity of the brain.
The effect can be very different, here is a small list of principles of action:
- Normalization of blood circulation in the central nervous system.
- Restoration of speed and quality of metabolism, biochemical processes in cerebral 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).
- Maintaining the central nervous system in a normal state, activating natural regenerative phenomena.
Each effect corresponds to one or more groups of drugs at once. Let's look at them in more detail.
Drugs and peculiarities of their action
Medicines of the types described below must not be taken without the approval of your doctor. Indeed, some of them are safe, for example, the same vitamins. But with an excess of the substance it begins to destroy the body.
In addition, serious side effects, including allergic reactions, are possible.
Cerebrovascular drugs
Simply put, cerebral circulation correctors. According to world statistics, trophic disorders in the central nervous system are one of the key causes of death among the world’s population. Conditions such as stroke and encephalopathy are well known even to a person without special medical knowledge.
All disorders of cerebral blood flow unequivocally cause disorders of memory, thinking, concentration and learning. They are only gradually getting worse.
Cerebrovascular drugs are a wide group of drugs, in the category of correctors you can list about a hundred items.
If you list the most popular and common medications:
Cinnarizine
Basis of action - dilation of blood vessels of the brain, violation of the penetration of calcium ions through the walls of large arteries.
At the same time, the drug does not affect the pressure in the canal at all, so it can be prescribed to patients with pathologies of the cardiovascular system at any stage of the disorder.
The drug is quite old, but is still actively used because it gives a minimum of side effects, is well tolerated and has a wide range of pharmacological activities.
Vinpocetine
It has similar properties, but is considered more powerful. It is prescribed for ischemic processes in the brain. Including, as a means of rapid recovery after a stroke.
Attention: Unlike cinnarizine, it lowers blood pressure somewhat.
Portability is still good. It can be used as a drug to prevent CNS pathologies.
Suitable for long-term use.
Piracetam
Strictly speaking, not exactly a cerebrovascular drug. This is a combination drug that can be described as a corrector of trophism of the central nervous system and at the same time nootropic. Piracetam improves brain activity, concentration and increases the ability to remember information.
It is prescribed for patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system, secondary brain disorders, neuroendocrine abnormalities and other dangerous conditions. It is universal in its own way.
Well tolerated, assigned courses. Prolonged use is not recommended, as the effect is abruptly reduced.
Deproteinized calf hemoderivative
This is a complex drug. It restores normal blood circulation in the brain, improves its functioning, corrects metabolic processes, promotes the regeneration of cerebral tissues and increases efficiency.
The product is prepared on the basis of veal blood components. Proteins as such have a huge allergenic potential, so there are risks of immune response, inadequate reactions of the body's defenses.
It makes sense to gradually increase the dosage and closely monitor your health.
There are also herbal remedies, but they are not considered remedies. These are dietary supplements, so you shouldn't have high hopes for them.
Each of the above groups is represented by several other trade names (manufacturers register various variations).
Which drug to choose depends on the severity and characteristics of the clinical case. The solution to the problem remains at the discretion of the treating physician.
Cerebrovascular disorders have different tolerances, they have their own characteristics. The likelihood of side effects occurring is determined individually; if suspicious symptoms occur, you must contact your specialist again.
Nootropics
A broad group of drugs, which partially covers other categories, which are presented and described here.
Medicines of this type affect health in several ways:
- Stabilization of cell membranes. Due to that, the strength of the cytoplasmic membrane increases, the load tolerance at the micro level.
- Increased production of energy-intensive compounds. Supply of brain structures, nervous tissues with useful substances, which improves memory.
- Accelerate glucose transport and utilization. As a result, brain cells receive more food and absorb it better.
- Acceleration of nerve impulse transmission in cerebral structures.
Nootropics are memory pills, improving concentration, speed and quality of thinking, they are presented in a large number of subgroups:
Acetylcholine precursors
Well tolerated, but only in measured doses. Excessive use or exceeding the concentration of the active substance causes convulsions, psychotic disorders and brain disorders.
Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
Pyrrolidine derivatives
Piracetam, Aniracetam, Dupracetam and a dozen other variations. In terms of clinical efficacy, they are approximately identical. Only the key indications differ: one drug is effective for prevention, the other as a measure of recovery from stroke, and so on.
Many of the names described are complex drugs that affect several aspects of pathology: disorders in brain biochemistry, quality of cerebral blood flow, and arrest of oxidative processes in the central nervous system.
Amino acids
The most popular option is glycine. The drug is universal, it is prescribed to both adult patients and children.
It has a rather sparse, specific activity. Therefore, it is not suitable for the correction of complex pathological processes.
As an aid to basic technique or disease prevention - it works great. Amino acids, like other organic compounds, can cause allergies. Therefore, when receiving, you must be as discreet as possible.
Peptides
Memory-enhancing drugs are prescribed as a measure to prevent or restore brain function after TBI, stroke and inflammatory processes.
They have no hormonal activity, due to the high degree of purification they practically do not cause allergic reactions.
It is often used as a basis for therapy for minor and moderate diseases.
GABA analogues
Gamma aminobutyric acid and other cheap pills to boost brain activity. They mimic the action of a special organic substance that accelerates the transmission of nerve impulses in cerebral structures.
Drugs of this type have other effects: antiplatelet, psychostimulant, sedative. True, to a very small extent.
These products are suitable for long-term use.
Pyridoxine derivatives
Powerful drugs that stimulate tissue metabolism. They help improve memory and brain function, remove excessive nervous tension, correct addiction (cravings for alcohol, nicotine). But you can't take them for long.
Nootropics are not comic drugs. All the recommendations about "overclocking" the brain, which are so actively discussed online, are dangerous misconceptions.
Means can be taken only on indications if there is a direct approval of a doctor. If the agents are drunk incorrectly, according to the wrong scheme, in an overdose, the biochemistry of the brain can be brought to a chaotic state.
It is overflowing with psychosis, increased risk of schizophrenia, extrapyramidal disorders (convulsions, problems with physical activity).
Most of the described tablets for memory and improvement of brain function can be taken only by adults: the nervous tissues of the child, the biochemistry of the central nervous system have not yet been established, the risks of mental destruction are great even with competent, correct intake according to the scheme.
Antioxidants and vitamins
Oxidative processes of cells are a phenomenon of transition of electrons from the atom of the shell of the cytological structure into a substance that aggressively affects the tissues.
The result is a violation of the integrity of the membrane and the death of cells due to the impossibility of separation from the external environment, normally transporting substances. As a result of the reaction, ions are formed that are capable of destroying other structures.
If we neglect biochemistry, oxidation leads to the death of entire tissues, the gradual degradation of body systems. The brain also suffers, and with it memory, attention, thinking.
Interestingly, these phenomena are quite physiological and play one of the key roles in the aging process.
The challenge is to stop adverse changes. Antioxidant group preparations can help with this.
Can be divided into 3 broad categories:
- Enzymes and minerals. The former have the ability to accelerate the natural processes in the body. Including the binding of free radicals and their rapid removal from body structures.
Minerals are constituents of many organic molecules. Their systems do not know how to synthesize, substances come from outside with food. The key elements that are able to fight radicals are selenium, manganese and zinc.
- Flavanoids. Low molecular weight compounds. Due to their structural characteristics, they can bind free radicals on their own, attaching 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. In sufficient quantities they reliably cover the body from dangerous threats.
Drugs to improve the memory of a group of antioxidants act as an aid to the main treatment, their task is to prevent pathological processes from the central nervous system, slow down the aging of tissues, so they are suitable for elderly patients.
Drugs for lipid metabolism disorders
Disorders of higher nervous activity can be caused by atherosclerosis of the vessels of the brain.
This phenomenon is associated with disorders of fat metabolism in the body, the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels. As a result, a mechanical barrier to blood flow is created.
Trophism of brain structures suffers significantly. In the later stages of the disorder, stroke is likely.
The pathological process can last for years, gradually deteriorating 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. They inhibit fat production. This type of medication must be used with caution. Especially the funds of the early generations. They cause many side effects.
- Fibrates are prescribed for some forms of hyperlipidemia or as part of therapy along with statins.
- Nicotinic acid. It is named only as indicated. Because the drug is difficult to tolerate.
Correction of brain disorders is performed using these means in various combinations.
Blood pressure lowering drugs
Disorders of higher nervous activity may be associated with an increase in blood pressure. Brain tissue trophism suffers. The result is problems with memory, attention.
These drugs are presented in several groups:
- Beta blockers. Metoprolol tartrate, bisoprolol fumarate, propranolol hydrochloride and a dozen other variations.
- Calcium antagonists. Relax blood vessels, drip pressure level.
- ACE inhibitors. Drugs that slow down the production of a special substance, angiotensin. Increases arterial tone.
- Diuretics. Medications that remove excess fluid.
- Central action funds. They regulate the work of blood vessels at the level of the brain itself.
All are applied strictly according to the indications.
Attention: Incorrect combinations "plant" the kidneys, the heart. This is a situation where treatment is more dangerous than the disease itself.
Blood pressure booster
Low blood pressure values affect thinking and memory, and even worse. Because with insufficient trophism of brain structures, there are problems in the work of the brain: with memory, thinking.
Correcting low blood pressure is difficult. Herbal preparations (Eleutherococcus, Ginseng, Schisandra) are prescribed. Also tonics. All drugs that increase blood pressure are described in this article.
The main role is assigned to the treatment of primary pathology, the cause of the disorder. Also changes in lifestyle and diet.
This is not an easy task. I need the help of a competent cardiologist. Neurologists are also involved as needed.
Precautions
Medications, even if used properly, can pose a risk. To keep them to a minimum, it is worth noting a few nuances:
- Vitamins improve memory and attention, but only in doses that correspond to physiological: the principle of "the more, the more efficient" does not work here, the development of hypervitaminosis, disorders of the heart, blood vessels, brain structures, connective tissue and endocrine glands.
- Nootropics in the wrong dose lead to psychosis, destruction of nerve fibers. They cannot be used without a medical sanction and indication.
- Means based on plants, organic components (proteins, amino acids, enzymes) often cause allergies. It is a consequence of their nature. So you have to take care of your health.
- Tablets that improve brain function, including nootropics, cerebrovascular, are contraindicated in tumors of the central nervous system, disorders of the multiple sclerosis type in the relapse phase. Because pathological processes will accelerate and worsen.
No medication should be taken alone. The purpose of treatment is the final stage of correction, the tip of the iceberg. It is preceded by a full diagnosis.
In all cases you must contact your specialist doctor.
Reviews required for memory corruption
Neurologists study the properties of the disorder. If necessary, specialists in cardiology and endocrinology participate in the case.
To make a diagnosis, you need the following procedures:
- Interview the patient.
- Collection of anamnesis.
- EEG. Investigate the electrical activity of the central nervous system.
- Duplex scanning of cerebral vessels.
- Ultrasound technique that provides information on the structure and functional activity of arteries.
- X-ray of the skull.
- MRI on request.
- Blood pressure measurement: routine or daily. ECHO-KG, ECG. Heart research.
Memory drugs are designed to combat the root cause. There is no point in correcting higher nervous activity without removing the main culprit of the disorder.