How Do Memory Loss Drugs Work?

Memory loss drugs are taken to help ease problems such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia due to Lewy bodies, vascular dementia and other types of memory loss. Many of these drugs promise amazing and seemingly miraculous results. This then brings us to the question as to how these drugs work. I found some useful information about some if the popular memory loss drugs here, and also some information about how they work:

Drugs like Tacrine, or Cognex, Donepezil, or Aricept, Galantamine, or Razadyne, and Rivastigmine, or Exelon, increase levels of acetylcholine in the brain, thereby slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s. Side effects of some of these drugs may include gastrointestinal discomfort.

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Alcohol and Dementia

It is well known that alcohol abuse or alcoholism has many negative effects on a person’s life, which can be physical and mental as well as social in nature. According to wiki the ill effects to physical health associated with alcohol consumption may include cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, epilepsy, polyneuropathy, heart disease, increased chance of cancer, nutritional deficiencies, sexual dysfunction, and death from many sources.

Among the detrimental effects of alcohol on brain function and thus psychological well being are conditions such as anxiety and depression disorders, with as many as 25% of alcoholics presenting with severe psychiatric disturbances. Chronic alcohol misuse can also cause panic disorder to develop or worsen. There can also be very serious social repercussions of alcoholism, a person’s interpersonal relationships, and professional abilities can also be impaired due to alcohol dependence. Marital conflict, domestic violence and divorce can all be the negative effects of alcoholism.

While it is well known that alcohol abuse kills brain cells now there is increased evidence that binge drinking increases the risk of dementia.

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Age Related Memory Loss

It is true that we age and that our brain inevitably ages with us. What is also true is that the decline in our brains does then lead to memory lapses and other difficulties. The good news is that this does not happen to everyone, and the severity of it is not uniform. There is no reason why many of us won’t continue to live happy, healthy, fruitful lives even in the twilight of our years.

In fact general aging and age related memory loss will not affect the following functions:
• How to do the things you’ve always done and do often
• The wisdom and knowledge you’ve acquired from life experience
• Your innate common sense
• The ability to form reasonable arguments and judgments
• The ability to learn new skills and make then routine (though it might take longer)

The memory may be affected in these following ways, which is par for the course and nothing to worry about:

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Do You Have Alzheimer's Disease? How You Can Tell If You Do

It is important to remember that all memory loss is certainly not caused by Alzheimer’s disease, which follows a definite pattern and has clearly identifiable symptoms which can help you distinguish the disease from other kinds of memory loss.

Eliminate other Causes
There are other medical conditions that can cause problems similar to Alzheimer’s which should be eliminated as possible causes of the symptoms before a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Sometimes memory lapses or mood swings may be caused by depression, a metabolic disorder such as hypothyroidism, a reaction to a drug, or a vitamin deficiency.

Also rule out other factors such as

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Memory Boosting Supplements; How Safe are they?

For all those of us who are suffering the effects of aging and finding a lessening in the acuity of our brains, the thought of supplements to boost brain power and memory has to have crossed our minds. Of course what also crosses our mind is are these supplements safe to take? Will they have any harmful side effects and are they really as effective as they say they are?

Take Gingko Biloba for instance. By all accounts this is an effective memory boosting supplement that many recommend. This herbal supplement is extracted from one of the oldest known trees to man, which is also known as the Maidenhair tree. The use of Gingko to cure several ills, for general good health and well being has been practiced in places like China literally for thousands of years. So this is really something that is ‘tried and tested’ so to speak. Also the fact that this is a herbal remedy makes it safe. As long as the supplement you use is not spurious, is of a good quality, and free from any adulteration, Gingko is excellent for you and will cause you no side effects.

A word of caution while using any kind of memory boosting supplements though.

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Alzheimer's and Diabetes: The connection

For the past some years now, the link between diabetes or blood sugar and Alzheimer’s has been studied. In 2004, the BBC reported news of a study that demonstrated how having diabetes can increase a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 65%. According to the article, tests showed that speed of perception - being able to tell whether two things are the same or different - declined faster in diabetics than in healthy patients, by around 44%.

Recently as well, there has been much in the news to substantiate the premise that diabetes and dementia are linked. This CBS news article talks about how diabetes increases the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease and may speed dementia once it strikes. The article talks about how the damage may start before someone is diagnosed with full-blown diabetes, back when the body is gradually losing its ability to regulate blood sugar.

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Memory Tests for the Brain: See how you Score

It is well documented that in order to keep your brain agile and able, you need to challenge and stretch it; with the brain it is definitely a case of “if you don’t use it you lose it”. We have earlier looked at the kind of mental exercises each one of us needs to do if we are keep good mental health for a longer time. Similarly memory tests and memory exercises help us understand our mental abilities and help keep then in good working order.

This BBC memory test is actually part of a study where the result of your test is collated to a data base that the answers you give will help University of Edinburgh experimental psychologists with their research. I did part of the test; it was not difficult and I enjoyed doing it.

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