I have been practicing medicine for 20 years. In my early years, I practiced conventional medicine as I was taught in my training. During those years, I used drug therapies to treat a variety of illnesses. However, I began to question the wisdom of solely relying on drug therapies as their mechanism of action did not make biochemical or common sense. You see, most (>95%) drug therapies work by two mechanisms; they poison enzymes or block receptors. It is now my theory that you can’t block receptors and poison enzymes for the long-term and expect a good result. I have written extensively about this in my book, Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies That Do.
This brings me to a group of medications that treat mild cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. There are two classes of drugs that are currently available to treat the above conditions. These drugs are known as cognitive enhancers, and include cholinesterase inhibiters and NMDA inhibiters.
In dementia-related illnesses, it is thought that acetylcholamine-producing neurons degenerate in the brain. The cholinesterase inhibiters–Galantamine, donepezil, and rigastigmine–work by poisoning the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Memantine (Nemanda) works by blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor.
A recent study looked at the effectiveness of the drugs used to treat cognitive impairment. (1) The authors of this study screened 15,554 articles and found eight randomized trials and three companion reports that met their criteria. They found no significant effects of cognitive enhancers on cognition, Alzheimer ’s disease assessment or function. Furthermore, they found cognitive enhancers are associated with adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. They conclude, “Cognitive enhancers did not improve cognition or function among patients with mild cognitive impairment…”
I have yet to see a patient significantly improve from a cognitive enhancing medication. Dementia-suffering patients did not become demented due to a lack of a cognitive enhancing medication. These drugs are very expensive—Nemanda costs five dollars per pill while generic Glantamine costs six dollars a tablet. Instead of using expensive medications that don’t work, we could be using our health care dollars more wisely to study why patients become demented. Then we can develop specific strategies to combat dementia.
What do I think is causing the dementia epidemic? I have no doubt that nutritional imbalances can cause dementia as I have successfully treated early dementia with nutrients such as vitamins B12, B1, B6. In my experience another cause of dementia is heavy metal toxicity. It is well known that mercury and other heavy metals can bind to and disrupt normal neurological functioning. If a patient is at an early stage of dementia, identifying heavy metal toxicity and then detoxifying from it has proven successful.
What can you do to prevent dementia? The first step to preventing cognitive impairment is to eat a healthy diet and drink adequate amounts of water. I have no doubt that long-term poor dietary habits will lead to many chronic illnesses including dementia. There is no substitute for eating a healthy diet. Next, work with a holistic health care provider who is knowledgeable about nutrition and detoxification. As you age, eating a healthy diet, identifying and correcting nutritional imbalances as well as detoxifying from toxic metals can make the difference between aging gracefully and developing cognitive problems.
If you or a loved one has a case of early dementia, I have seen positive results following the steps I outlined above. Aging does not have to be associated with dementia.
(1) Canadian Medical Associate Journal. 2013. DOI:10.1503
Thanks for posting. This is an important topic that does not get enough attention. My father suffered from dementia for ten years before passing away from it. He was a bright, well-educated, well-read articulate man. He turned into a empty shell of a human. He was seeing a neurologist, endocrinologist, urologist and internist. I had privacy privileges so I was able to communicate with these (specialists). Well they did nothing special for him. In addition, he had low hormone levels for 20 yrs and never received any hormone replacement. Instead they gave him a bunch of prescription drugs that made his health worse. I agree with your summary of potential causes, however, I am curious do you think there is any connection in keeping all of your hormone levels optimal and preventing dementia? Thanks..
Hi LK,
Yes, I think it is important to keep the hormonal system balanced throughout life. I have seen many older patients with memory issues who improve significantly when their hormones are properly balanced. Although, all the hormones are important, for men testosterone is probably the most important one. For women, estrogen and progesterone seem to provide the best benefits for brain function.
DrB
Very informative article pointing out the basic mechanism of pharmaceutical drugs – blocking things. Of course, this can not work for long. The body adapts to the disruption and perhaps increases production of the enzyme that is being blocked. Or the blockage blocks other things than the one intended, like statins blocking production of Co-Q10. I successfully treated many patients by testing and supplying needed nutrients and detoxing from heavy metals at the Princeton Brain Bio Center, as well as using homeopathy, which helps the body heal itself.
Actually they do have an effect. I have noticed people taking Aricept and Nemanda develop a very bad cough. Someone who sees me told me that she told her husband’s neurologist about this and she suggested that they be discontinued. The coughing stopped. Interesting that the neurologist knew just which medications to stop. Of course there was no change in mental acuity from cessation of the drugs..