Treatment is best begun at the earliest time, using a combination of conventional and complementary therapies. Especially effective are nutritional and botanical therapies, due to the low risk of side effects associated with them.

A review of five supplements all showed positive results in patients suffering with dementia and age-related cognitive decline. These included : phosphatidylserine (PS), acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC), vinpocetine, Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE), and Bacopa monniera (Bacopa).

PS is a phospholipid cleanses and enriches brain cells, and is used for improving the memory, learning, concentration, word recall, and mood in middle-aged and elderly subjects and has a low risk of side effects.

ALC is an energizer and metabolic cofactor which also benefits various cognitive functions, but with a slightly less favourable side effect risk.

Vinpocetine, from the lesser periwinkle Vinca minor, is an excellent vasodilator and cerebral metabolic enhancer with proven benefits for blood vessel based cognitive dysfunction, but should not be used with blood-thinning drugs.

These five nutrient and botanical substances create an interesting contribution to the restoration of cognitive function as they can be applied in a highly individualised approach.

Source : A review of nutrients and botanicals in the integrative management of cognitive dysfunction. Kidd PM. Altern Med Rev, 4:144-61, 1999 Jun

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