Nicotine for Alzheimer’s disease
Abstract Background Nicotine is a cholinergic agonist that also has a presynaptic effect in releasing acetylcholine. It has been shown to reverse spatial memory deficits produced in rats by lesions in the medial septal nucleus of their brains, and, in aged monkeys, nicotine administration improves memory and alertness to visual stimuli. Observational studies have suggested […]
Thiamine for Alzheimer’s disease
Abstract Background Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency plays an important role in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This is a form of brain damage occurring in long-term alcoholics who rely mainly on alcohol for nutrition. The acute syndrome (Wernicke’s encephalopathy) is normally reversible. Progression to the profound amnestic syndrome (Korsakoff’s psychosis) can be averted by a timely injection of […]
Subjective barriers to prevent wandering of cognitively impaired people
Abstract Background People with dementia often wander, at times putting themselves at risk and presenting challenges to carers and institutional staff. Traditional interventions to prevent wandering include restraint, drugs and locked doors. Cognitively impaired people may respond to environmental stimuli (sounds, images, smells) in ways distinct from healthy people. This has led to trials of […]
Lecithin for dementia and cognitive impairment
Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease sufferers have been found to lack the enzyme responsible for converting choline into acetylcholine within the brain. Lecithin is a major dietary source of choline, so extra consumption may reduce the progression of dementia. Objectives To determine the efficacy of lecithin in the treatment of dementia or cognitive impairment. Search methods […]
Aspirin for vascular dementia
Abstract Background Aspirin is widely prescribed for patients with a diagnosis of vascular dementia. In a survey of UK geriatricians and psychiatrists 80% of patients with clinical diagnoses of vascular dementia were prescribed aspirin. However, a number of queries remain unanswered. Is there convincing evidence that aspirin benefits patients with vascular dementia? Does aspirin affect […]
Hydergine for dementia
Abstract Background Currently hydergine is used almost exclusively for treating patients with either dementia, or ‘age-related’ cognitive symptoms. Since the early 1980s there have been over a dozen more clinical trials, yet hydergine’s efficacy remains uncertain. Although previous reviews offer generally favourable support for hydergine’s efficacy, they were, however, limited by a bias with respect […]