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Non Pharmacological Cognitive Enhancers - Current Perspectives
Ankur Sachdeva1, Kuldip Kumar2, Kuljeet Singh Anand3
1Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry and Drug De-addiction, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital , New Delhi, India .
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research : JCDR
|September 23, 2015
Summary
Non-pharmacological cognitive enhancers, including exercise, sleep, and meditation, show promise for improving cognition in aging and neuropsychiatric disorders. These methods offer a safe and effective alternative to traditional drugs.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Cognitive functions are essential for daily life and are impacted by aging and neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Cognitive enhancers aim to improve memory, attention, and other cognitive abilities.
- Non-pharmacological cognitive enhancers are emerging as safe and effective alternatives to drugs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize evidence on various non-pharmacological cognitive enhancers.
- To discuss the role of these enhancers in aging and neuropsychiatric conditions.
- To examine the current status of Cochrane database recommendations for non-pharmacological cognitive enhancement.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of the PubMed database for articles and reviews.
- Keywords used: 'non pharmacological' and 'cognitive' in the title.
- Inclusion criteria: articles published between 2000 and 2014; relevant content; cross-references and Cochrane reviews considered.
Main Results:
- The review identified and analyzed evidence for various non-pharmacological cognitive enhancers.
- These enhancers include physical exercise, sleep, meditation, yoga, spirituality, nutrients, computer training, brain stimulation, and music.
- The efficacy of these interventions in aging and neuropsychiatric disorders was discussed.
Conclusions:
- Non-pharmacological cognitive enhancers present a promising, safe, and potentially more efficacious approach compared to pharmacological options.
- These interventions hold significant potential for managing cognitive decline in aging and various neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Further research and updated Cochrane reviews are essential to solidify recommendations.
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