Notoriously, the aging brain is apt to become a little more forgetful. Just ask any senior. Even the most vibrant among us may misplace car keys more often, forget names or have a little trouble retrieving a word.
So far, traditional medicine has not focused much attention on preventing typical age-related memory decline. Instead, health care professionals generally encourage older patients not to become overly concerned unless there is a significant decline in memory or cognitive function.
Doctors suggest the usual: exercise, enjoy a Mediterranean-style diet, socialize and continue learning new skills. No magic. No miracle pills. Just common-sense interventions.
For many seniors, though, those occasional slips are feared to be harbingers of the unthinkable — pardon the expression. The prospect of a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can be frightening. But while these conditions are devastating, there is reason to take heart. Modern medicine continues to make significant strides in diagnosis and treatment.
Prior to advances in modern brain imaging and diagnostic testing, suspected Alzheimer’s disease or dementia was diagnosed largely through observation and cognitive evaluation, with Alzheimer’s disease historically confirmed through postmortem examination of the brain.
Over time, cognitive evaluation protocols improved, allowing physicians greater insight into the presence and progression of disease. Advances in positron emission tomography, or PET scanning, have also allowed researchers and physicians to detect amyloid plaques in living brains.
Amyloid plaques are associated with Alzheimer’s disease and are believed to interfere with communication between brain cells. PET scans and other advances have also helped researchers distinguish among different types and causes of dementia.
More recently, blood tests designed to detect biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease have emerged as another tool that may help physicians evaluate patients and support a diagnosis.
The discovery of biomarkers such as amyloid plaques has not only aided earlier detection but also encouraged pharmaceutical research. While a cure continues to elude science, treatments intended to slow the progression of some neurodegenerative diseases are developing rapidly. Along with symptom management, there is now greater hope for slowing neurological decline in some patients.
It is important to note that prescription drugs undergo extensive study before they reach the market. Clinical trials are conducted over a period of years and are reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration. Researchers evaluate effectiveness, side effects, risks and benefits, and the results are subject to scientific scrutiny.
When all is said and done, if regulators determine that a drug’s benefits outweigh its risks for the intended use, it may be approved for the market.
This same approval process does not apply to manufacturers of vitamins and dietary supplements, including products marketed as nootropics.
Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, dietary supplements are regulated differently from prescription drugs. Manufacturers are required to follow federal manufacturing and labeling rules, but they generally do not have to prove a supplement is effective before it is sold to consumers.
Like most packaged foods, supplements must carry a Supplement Facts panel identifying their ingredients.
Some supplement manufacturers conduct their own studies, whether out of genuine concern for effectiveness or as part of their marketing efforts. Critics argue that in-house studies may be susceptible to bias, particularly when they are small, unpublished or not independently reviewed.
There is also concern that some supplement studies may rely on relatively small groups of participants or present results in percentages without clearly showing the number of people studied.
While some larger companies conduct double-blind or independently reviewed research, many smaller companies rely heavily on customer testimonials and marketing claims to establish credibility.
Ultimately, consumers should be cautious when evaluating claims about nootropics. A significant number of people say they experience benefits, while others are less impressed.
Many manufacturers also advise users that any benefits may not be immediate and could take several weeks to become noticeable.
Whether the investment in nootropics is worthwhile remains an individual decision. It is prudent to consult a health care professional before starting any new supplement, particularly for people who take prescription medications or have existing medical conditions.
Thank you for taking this journey with me. May you enjoy the best of health, mentally and physically.
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