What to do for memory changes?

From the Guidelines

To address memory changes, adopting a brain-healthy lifestyle is crucial, and this includes regular physical exercise, a Mediterranean-style diet, quality sleep, and cognitive stimulation, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1. This approach is essential because it can help delay or prevent cognitive decline, as suggested by the evidence 1. Key components of this lifestyle include:

• Regular physical exercise, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly, which can help preserve cognitive function and reduce the risk of vascular-related cognitive decline 1.
• A Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, providing essential brain nutrients.
• Quality sleep of 7-8 hours nightly, which is important for brain health.
• Cognitive stimulation through daily activities such as puzzles, reading, learning new skills, or playing musical instruments, which can build neural connections.
• Staying socially engaged through regular interactions with friends and family, which can support cognitive health.
• Managing chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, as these can impact cognitive health.
• Reducing stress through meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises, and avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption. If memory changes are concerning or interfere with daily activities, consulting a healthcare provider for evaluation is necessary, as some memory issues may be related to treatable conditions like vitamin deficiencies, medication side effects, or depression, as noted in 1 and 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

The effectiveness of memantine hydrochloride extended-release as a treatment for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease when co-administered with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil hydrochloride, was based on the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial The SIB examines selected aspects of cognitive performance, including elements of attention, orientation, language, memory, visuospatial ability, construction, praxis, and social interaction.

For memory changes, donepezil may be used as part of the treatment. The drug label mentions that donepezil is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that can be co-administered with memantine hydrochloride extended-release for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. Key points to consider:

• Donepezil is used to treat memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
• The effectiveness of donepezil was evaluated using the Severe Impairment Battery (SIB), which assesses cognitive performance, including memory.
• Approximately 68% of patients in the study received donepezil as the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor 2.

From the Research

Memory Changes: What to Do

To address memory changes, several strategies can be considered based on existing research:

• Socially Active Lifestyle: Encouraging a socially active lifestyle can help slow down further decline in memory, as suggested by 3.
• Vitamin B12 Supplementation: Ensuring optimal levels of vitamin B12 is important, as suboptimal levels have been associated with cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer's disease undergoing cholinesterase inhibitor treatment, according to 4.
• Cognitive Training and Health Promotion: Interventions such as cognitive training, health promotion, and participation-centered courses can result in significant improvement in cognitive function and decrease loneliness, as found by 5.
• Memory Support: Providing memory support, such as using specific strategies to enhance patient memory for treatment, can be beneficial in improving treatment outcomes, as indicated by 6.
• Medical Treatment: For individuals with Alzheimer's disease, medications like donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine may be considered, although their effectiveness can vary and should be monitored, as discussed in 7.

Key Considerations

When dealing with memory changes, it's essential to:

• Consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance.
• Engage in activities that promote cognitive health and social interaction.
• Monitor and address any underlying nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B12.
• Explore various interventions and treatments under the supervision of a healthcare provider.