Two Essential Components of Effective Cognitive Enhancement

By VRP Staff

The brain is an astronomically complex organ, comprised of approximately one thousand trillion synapses, which are the minute gaps between nerve endings. These synaptic gaps act as the “on-off” switches in the brain’s rapid neural communication network and transmit brief electrical charges between nerve endings, by analogy, acting like a spark plug in an engine. There are approximately one hundred billion neurons distributed throughout the gray matter of the brain of a healthy, young adult, and more synapses in the brain’s neural connection network than there are observable stars in the Milky Way Galaxy.

Last month’s newsletter article on Brain Regeneration (March 2008) focused on the importance of new brain nutrients: acetyl-carnitine; acetyl-carnitine arginate; uridine; and Gotu kola and its unique asiaticosides to foster and support the regrowth of axons and dendrites (neurites) that form the neural communication network. These nutrients, acting individually and synergistically, stimulate the growth and “out branching” of neurites, helping to rebuild the neural networks and restore lost functions like cognition and memory, in aging brains or in brains damaged by injury/trauma or disease. This represents an exciting advance in brain health technology, in that, for the first time, the loss of crucial brain structures related to aging can be addressed.

The structural rejuvenation provided by the above nutrients makes it possible to benefit more fully from supplement programs that enhance neurotransmitter production. This dynamic might be compared to a computer system where the neural communications network forms the architectural “hardware” and the “software” is the full spectrum of neurochemicals that makes up the electrochemical “code.” Therefore, the most effective cognitive enhancing supplement regimens employ nutrients used to regrow neurons and substances known for their ability to support optimal levels of neurotransmitters.

Adequate levels of neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, epinephrine, norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), dopamine, melatonin, both D- and L-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, glycine, gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), adenosine and ATP, and a variety of other peptides such as endorphins and somatostatin, must be constantly replenished and available at the synapses. When there are suboptimal levels of neurotransmitters, even though structural elements are sound, various disorders such as attention deficit and lack of focus, anxieties, “brain fog,” and muscle tremors can manifest. These neurotransmitter depletion disorders frequently improve when orthomolecular levels of individual amino acids are provided as dietary supplements.

Furthermore, many nutrients have been shown to elevate levels of essential brain chemicals. A partial list of neurotransmitter-enhancing substances includes:
Choline. Choline is a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is required for muscle control, memory and a number of other functions. Choline is available in a number of forms including citrate, bitartrate, chloride, CDP choline and phosphatidylcholine.1
DMAE. Dimethylaminoethanol is a choline precursor that augments choline’s ability to form acetylcholine. Dr. Stanley Geller reported on a double-blind study of 75 children, that DMAE in doses of 50 mg twice daily resulted in improved functioning capacity, puzzle-solving ability and organization of activity.2
Pyroglutamic Acid. An amino acid prolific throughout the brain and blood, pyroglutamic acid has been shown to enhance learning and cognitive functions in normal subjects and individuals impaired by aging, alcohol, stroke, and dementia. In a randomized, double-blind trial, pyroglutamic acid was compared with a placebo for assessing its efficacy in treating memory deficits in 40 aged subjects.3 Twenty subjects were treated with pyroglutamic acid and 20 with placebo over 60 days. Memory functions were evaluated at baseline and after 60 days of treatment by evaluating performance on six memory tasks. Pyroglutamic acid subjects experienced significant improvement. According to the researchers, “The results suggest that pyroglutamic acid is effective in improving some verbal memory functions in subjects affected by age-related memory decline.”
L-Phenylalanine. The amino acid precursor to epinephrine and norepinephrine, excitory neurotransmitters that are required for attention and focus, for the “flight or fight” response and for mood and memory.
Vinpocetine. Isolated from the periwinkle plant (Vinca minor), vinpocetine increases blood flow, oxygen metabolism and glucose uptake in brain cells. In a 16-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 203 people with mild to moderate dementia, vinpocetine produced significant benefit in the treated group.4
Huperzine A. This extract from Chinese club moss preserves acetylcholine by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for its degradation. Three double-blind trials enrolling a total of more than 450 people indicated that huperzine-A can significantly improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.5-7

Lifetime brain health requires abundant levels of crucial neurochemicals as well as robust brain cell structures. An integrated approach to supplementation with a combination of brain support nutrients that improve the health of neurons while raising levels of key neurotransmitters is likely to provide the best protection against age-related cognitive decline.

References

1. Babb SM, Wald LL, Cohen BM, Villafuerte RA, Gruber SA, Yurgelun-Todd DA, Renshaw PF. Chronic citicoline increases phosphodiesters in the brains of healthy older subjects: an in vivo phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2002;161: 248-54.
2. Geller SJ. Comparison of a tranquilizer and a psychic energizer. JAMA 1960;174:89-92.
3. Grioli S, Lomeo C, Quattropani MC, Spignoli G, Villardita C. Pyroglutamic acid improves the age associated memory impairment. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 1990;4(2):169-73.
4. Szatmari SZ, Whitehouse PJ. Vinpocetine for cognitive impairment and dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003; CD003119.
5. Xu SS, Gao ZX, Weng Z. Efficacy of tablet huperzine-A on memory, cognition, and behavior in Alzheimer’s disease. Zhongguo Yao Li XueBao. 1995;16:391-395.
6. Zhang RW, Tang XC, Han YY. Drug evaluation of huperzine A in the treatment of senile memory disorders [in Chinese; English abstract]. Zhongguo Yao Li XueBao. 1991; 12: 250-252.
7. Zhang Z, Wang X, Chen Q. Clinical efficacy and safety of huperzine alpha in treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer disease: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial. Zhonghua Yi XueZaZhi. 2002; 82: 941-944.