Lipoic Acid: A Promising Natural Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease

Lipoic acid: a promising alternative therapy for Alzheimer’s disease This is the fourth In a series on complementary and alternative and integrative treatments of dementia. Previous posts reviewed the evidence for dietary changes, multi-modal interventions and a promising natural product … Continue reading

Multi-modal Treatment Interventions Hold Promise for Alzheimer’s Disease

This is the second post in a series on complementary and alternative treatments of dementia. The previous post examined the evidence for diet in reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This post begins with a short review of the … Continue reading

Huperzine: A Promising Natural Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Limitations of mainstream treatments of Alzheimer’s disease Available prescription medications used to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may temporarily lessen the severity of memory loss and other cognitive and behavioral symptoms associated with AD, but they do not correct its root … Continue reading

Eating less Red Meat and Moderate Drinking Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk

This is the first post in a series on complementary and alternative treatments of Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia. My posts will focus on complementary and alternative treatments of Alzheimer’s disease because it is the most common type … Continue reading

Cranioelectrotherapy Stimulation (CES): An Emerging Therapy in Mental Health Care

How cranioelectrotherapy stimulation works Cranioelectrotherapy stimulation (CES) also called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or microcurrent electrical stimulation, is based on the application of extremely weak electrical current to the head and neck to treat anxiety, depressed mood, insomnia, and … Continue reading

Regular exercise is beneficial for depressed mood and anxiety and reduces risk of dementia

How exercise works to improve depressed mood Many studies show that infrequent physical activity increases the risk of developing depressed mood. Physical exercise increases the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and may enhance neural plasticity and new synapse formation. … Continue reading

DHEA improves depressed mood but not symptoms of cognitive impairment or schizophrenia

What it is and how it works in the brain Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a precursor of testosterone and other hormones. The sulfated form of DHEA—DHEA-S—is the most abundant steroid in the body. DHEA is an important neuroactive steroid and modulates … Continue reading

Huperzine: A Chinese Herbal for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Dementia

What it is and how it works Huperzine-A is an alkaloid compound derived from the herb Huperzia serrata and is an ingredient of herbal formulas used in Chinese medicine to treat Alzheimer disease and age-related cognitive decline. Animal studies show … Continue reading

Ginkgo for cognitive decline and dementia: the verdict is still out

How Ginkgo works Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) extract is used in Europe and North America to treat dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Most commercially available preparations are standardized to two active ingredients: flavone glycosides and terpenoids. The flavonoid constituent is a … Continue reading

Omega-3s in Mental Health Care: Part 2

Part 1 reviewed the evidence for omega-3 supplementation in the treatment of depressed mood. This post concisely reviews the evidence for omega-3s in treating schizopohrenia, dementia, ADHD, PTSD and borderline personality disorder. Omega-3s for symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic … Continue reading