Depression cognitive decline

Depression and cognitive decline are the two most common mental ailments that are treated with nutraceuticals. The most commonly available products for mental health include SAMe, DHEA, soy isofiavones, acetyl-L-carnitine, and n-3-fatty acids, particularly DHA. 

Cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, violent behavior, and weight loss are reported following chronic use of phencyclidine. Prolonged psychosis has been reported, which can mimic acute schizophrenia, and can persist for 4-6 weeks. Tolerance to the psychoactive effects can lead abusers to take increased doses. Psychological dependence has been noted, but no distinct withdrawal symptoms have been reported. 

Greater risk of future psychoses, personality disorders, and neuroses decrease in cognitive and intellectual performance mental retardation fatigue somnolence (postirradiation syndrome) Radiation necrosis decreased appetite, weakness, depression, nightmares, paranoia, psychosis, labile mood, personality changes, cognitive decline, dementia... 

The earliest American reports of psychiatric symptoms from adult exposures to inorganic lead described symptoms of insanity. With the institution of better working conditions and environmental controls, the frequency of severe poisonings declined in recent decades. Modern studies describe symptoms of depression, other mood complaints, or cognitive decline as primary effects of exposure. One meta-analysis of four studies comparing the risk of Alzheimer s disease from occupational lead exposure found no increased risk (Graves et al. 1991). 

Finally, chemicals aimed at relieving symptoms observed in psychiatric illnesses (e.g. anxiety, depression, schizophrenia) are studied in various animal models that reveal typical behaviours claimed to mimic those exhibited by patients. Animal tests are also needed to discover and develop drugs to treat cognitive decline. Recent studies of the effects of certain brain lesions on learning in rats or monkeys as animal models of Alzheimer s disease may go some way towards developing an experimental model for this disorder. 

A controlled study demonstrated efficacy against treatment-resistant depression associated with cognitive decline in elderly patients who had previously failed to respond to therapeutic trials of standard synthetic anti-depressants or other phytomedicinal preparations, including St. John s Wort. Patients experienced significant sustained improvements in mood and cognitive performance. 

Jorm AF. Is depression a risk factor for dementia or cognitive decline A review. Gerontology 2000 46 219-227. 

Be alert to changes in function or synptoms in aging patients, which might point to cognitive decline. Equally, don t let a dementia diagnosis distract you from addressing psychiatric comorbidities such as depression and anxiety. 

Depression is often associated with declining levels of ovarian hormones (i.e., depression is worse prior to menses, immediately after pregnancy, and prior to menopause). Women also have more sleep problems compared with men, and sleep disruption (and deprivation) has a negative impact on mood, energy level, and cognition. Menstruation-associated sleep complaints are secondary to cyclic changes in the levels of reproductive hormones, vasomotor symptoms, and an increase in sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea and periodic leg movements) in peri- and postmenopausal women."... 

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