The central nervous system is a thin and fragile structure. In dysfunctional disorders, a mild concussion in the form of impaired blood circulation, changes in trophic and inflammatory processes is sufficient.
All such phenomena are potentially dangerous, leading to neurological deficits from the first days.
Cognitive impairment is never accidental. Even fatigue, prolonged stress 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 to use a group of drugs with symptomatic action.
Memory enhancement pills is the generalized name of 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 the speed and quality of metabolism, biochemical processes in brain structures.
- Stopping oxidative phenomena, restoring the integrity of brain cells.
- 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 should not be taken without your doctor's approval. In fact, some of them are safe, such as the same vitamins. But with an excess of substances, 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 leading causes of death among the world's population. Conditions such as stroke, encephalopathy are well known even to a person without special medical knowledge.
All disorders of cerebral blood flow unequivocally provoke disorders of memory, thinking, concentration and learning. Gradually, they only get worse.
Cerebrovascular drugs are a wide group of drugs, in the category of correctors you can count about a hundred items.
If you list the most popular and common medicines:
Cinnarizine
Basis of action - dilation of blood vessels in the brain, disruption 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 minimal side effects, is well tolerated and has a wide range of pharmacological activity.
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.
Warning: Unlike Cinnarizine, it lowers blood pressure somewhat.
Portability is still good. It can be used as a medicine for the prevention of CNS pathologies.
Suitable for long-term use.
Piracetam
Strictly speaking, not quite a cerebrovascular drug. It is a combination drug that can be described as a corrector of central nervous system trophism and at the same time as a nootropic agent. Piracetam improves brain activity, concentration and increases the ability to store information.
It is prescribed to 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, distributed by courses. It is not recommended to use it for too long, as the effect is sharply reduced.
Deproteinized hemoderivative of calf blood
This is a complex drug. Restores normal blood circulation in the brain, improves its functioning, corrects metabolic processes, promotes regeneration of brain tissues and increases efficiency.
The product is prepared on the basis of beef blood ingredients. Proteins as such have a huge allergenic potential, which is why there are risks of an immune response, an inadequate response by the body's defenses.
It makes sense to gradually increase the dose and monitor health closely.
There are also herbal medicines, but they are not considered medicines. These are nutritional supplements, so you shouldn't have high hopes for them.
Each of the above groups is represented by several other trade names (manufacturers register different variants).
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 specialist.
Cerebrovascular have different tolerances, have their own characteristics. The likelihood of side effects is determined individually; if suspicious symptoms occur, you should contact your specialist again.
Nootropics
A broad group of drugs, which in part covers other categories that are presented and described here.
Medicines of this kind affect health in several ways:
- Stabilization of cell membranes. This increases the strength of the cytoplasmic membrane, load tolerance at the micro level.
- Increased production of energy valuable compounds. Providing the structures of the brain, nervous tissues with useful substances, as a result improves memory.
- Accelerate glucose transport and absorption. As a result, brain cells receive more nutrition and absorb it better.
- Accelerate the transmission of nerve impulses in brain structures.
Nootropics are memory pills that improve concentration, speed and quality of thinking, they are represented by a number of subgroups:
Precursors of acetylcholine
Meclofenoxate, deanol aceglumate. At the biochemical level, they stimulate the brain, increase the intensity of nerve impulse transmission.
Well tolerated, but only in measured doses. With excessive use or exceeding the concentration of the active substance, they provoke 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. The only difference is the main indications: one drug is effective for prevention, another as a measure to recover from a stroke, etc.
Many of the names described are complex drugs that affect several aspects of the pathology: disorders in brain biochemistry, quality of cerebral blood flow and stop 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 patients and children.
There is a rather sparse, specific activity. Therefore, it is not suitable for the correction of complex pathological processes.
As an assistant to the basic technique or disease prevention - does an excellent job. Amino acids, like other organic compounds, can cause allergies. Therefore, when you receive, you must exercise maximum discretion.
Peptides
Memory-enhancing drugs are prescribed as a measure to prevent or restore brain function after TBI, stroke and inflammation.
They have no hormonal activity, due to the high degree of purification practically do not provoke allergic reactions.
It is often used as a basis for therapy in diseases of mild to moderate severity.
GABA analogues
Gamma aminobutyric acid and others. are cheap pills to increase brain activity. They mimic the action of a special organic substance that accelerates the transmission of nerve impulses in brain structures.
Drugs of this type have other effects: antiplatelet, psychostimulant, sedative. It is true that to a very small extent.
These tools are suitable for long-term use.
Pyrodoxin derivatives
Powerful drugs that stimulate tissue metabolism. They help to improve memory and brain function, eliminate excessive nervous tension, correct addictive manifestations (thirst for alcohol, nicotine). But you can't take them for a long time.
Nootropics are not comic drugs. All the recommendations for brain overclocking that are so actively discussed on the web are dangerous misconceptions.
Means can be taken only on indications, when there is direct approval from a doctor. If the drugs are taken incorrectly, according to the wrong scheme, in an overdose, the biochemistry of the brain can be put in a chaotic state.
This is fraught with psychosis, increased risk of schizophrenia, extrapyramidal disorders (convulsions, problems with physical activity).
Most of the described pills for memory and brain function can be taken only by adults: the child's nervous tissues, the biochemistry of the central nervous system have not yet been established, the risks of mental breakdown are high even with competent, proper intakeaccording to the scheme.
Antioxidants and vitamins
Cell oxidation is a phenomenon of the transition of electrons from the atoms of the shell of the cytological structure to a substance that aggressively affects the tissues.
The result is a violation of membrane integrity and cell death due to the inability to separate from the external environment, usually transporting substances. As a result of the reaction, ions are formed, which are also capable of destroying other structures.
If we neglect biochemistry, oxidation leads to the death of whole tissues, gradual decomposition of body systems. The brain also suffers, and therefore memory, attention, thinking.
Interestingly, these phenomena are quite physiological, they play a key role in the aging process.
The challenge is to stop the adverse changes. Preparations from the antioxidant group can help in this.
They 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 components of many organic molecules. Their systems do not know how to synthesize, the substances come from outside with food. Key elements that are able to fight radicals are selenium, manganese and zinc.
- Flavonoids. Low molecular weight compounds. Due to their structural characteristics, they can bind free radicals themselves, attaching charged particles (ions) to themselves. In essence, these 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 the group of antioxidants act as an aid to the main treatment, their task is to prevent pathological processes of the central nervous system, to slow down the aging of tissues, and therefore are suitable for elderly patients.
Drugs for disorders of lipid metabolism
Disorders of higher nervous activity can be caused by atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels.
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.
The trophism of brain structures suffers significantly. In the later stages of the disorder, a stroke is likely.
The pathological process can last for years, gradually deteriorating the quality of memory and thinking. In order to restore the work of the central nervous system, special drugs are sufficient in this case.
To restore lipid metabolism, cleanse blood vessels:
- Statins. Inhibit fat production. This type of medication should be used with caution. Especially the means of the early generations. They cause many side effects.
- Fibrates are prescribed for some forms of hyperlipidemia or as part of therapy with statins.
- Nicotinic acid. Appointed only on indications. Because the drug is difficult to tolerate.
The correction of brain disorders is done with the help of these tools in various combinations.
Blood pressure lowering drugs
Disorders of higher nervous activity may be associated with an increase in blood pressure. The trophic tissue of the brain 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 the blood vessels, liquefy the pressure level.
- ACE inhibitors. Drugs that slow down the production of a special substance, angiotensin. Increases the tone of the arteries.
- Diuretics. Medicines that remove excess fluid.
- Central action tools. They regulate the work of blood vessels at the level of the brain itself.
All apply strictly according to instructions.
Warning: The wrong combinations "plant" the kidneys, the heart. This is the situation when treatment is more dangerous than the disease itself.
Blood pressure boosters
Low blood pressure affects thinking and memory and worse. Because in case of insufficient trophism of the 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 the 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. If necessary, neurologists are involved.
Precautions
Drugs, even when used properly, can pose a risk. To minimize them, it is worth considering a few nuances:
- Vitamins improve memory and attention, but only in doses consistent with physiological: the principle "the more, the more effective" does not work here, the development of hypervitaminosis, disorders of the heart, blood vessels, brain structures, connectivetissues and endocrine system.
- Nootropics in the wrong dose lead to psychosis, destruction of nerve fibers. They cannot be used without medical sanction and indications.
- Plant-based products, organic components (proteins, amino acids, enzymes) often provoke 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 are contraindicated in tumors of the central nervous system, disorders such as multiple sclerosis in the relapse phase. Because pathological processes will accelerate and worsen.
No medicine should be taken alone. The goal of treatment is the last stage of correction, the tip of the iceberg. It is preceded by a complete diagnosis.
In all cases, you should contact your specialist.
Reviews required for memory corruption
Neurologists study the characteristics of the disorder. If necessary, specialists in cardiology and endocrinology are involved in this case.
To make a diagnosis, you need the following procedures:
- Interview the patient.
- Collection of anamnesis.
- EEG. To study the electrical activity of the central nervous system.
- Duplex scanning of cerebral vessels.
- Ultrasound technique that provides information about the structure and functional activity of the arteries.
- X-ray of the skull.
- MRI on demand.
- Blood pressure measurement: routine or daily. ECHO-KG, ECG. Examination of the heart.
Memory drugs are designed to combat the root cause. There is no point in correcting higher nervous activity without eliminating the main culprit of the disorder.