Move Aside, Drugs: Non-invasive Brain Therapies
Recently, scientists at MIT tested a specially-designed nutritional drink to see whether it could improve cognitive function in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease. (Here’s an article in CNN on the subject.) The drink includes three key nutrients: uridine, choline (part of the vitamin B family) and DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid). These are nutrients that we already take in through food:
- Uridine is found in tomatoes, beer, and broccoli, among other foods
- Choline is found in egg yolks, soy, wheat germ, and meat (especially liver)
- DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is especially found in fatty fish, such as salmon, anchovies, and sardines. Our bodies can also transform a more common omega-3 fatty acid, called ALA, into DHA.
The nutritional drink used in this study was, in some respects, medical in nature–its nutritional content is not something we are likely to replicate in everyday meals. Still, I think this research represents a step toward an exciting new approach to treating cognitive dysfunction. It moves the conversation one small step away from pharmaceuticals and toward a less invasive, more natural approach to preventing and treating cognitive problems.
I believe, as do many of us at Posit Science, that the best approach to lifelong brain health will not be limited to–or even dominated by–drugs. Carefully researched lifestyle changes–especially brain exercise, but also diet, physical exercise, social life, and other factors–will play a significant role.
This approach has the benefit of having few negative side effects, unlike many pharmaceuticals. And, as scientists teach us more about how to care for our brains, it gives us a greater say in brain health and fitness–our own, that of our children, and that of our parents. Much as we now know that we can take many steps in our individual lives to prevent and ameliorate serious health issues–from heart disease to diabetes–we’ll know what to do to foster a healthy, well-functioning brain from childhood through old age.
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Posted: Exercise, Neuroscience, Research studies
Posit Science's corporate blog is the place where our employees share their thoughts about Posit Science and its products, brain fitness, breakthroughs in neuroscience, and any other topic they find interesting and relevant. 
January 27th, 2010 at 11:14 am
What about improvement of cognitive function in those who have been diagnosed with vascular dementia?? Would this drink be effective for these patients? And is this drink now available to the general public?? ~Carol
January 27th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Thank you; very, very enlightening.
January 27th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
So where can I buy some of this for my parents????
Thanks,
Barbara
January 27th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I am caregiver for my wife who is taking drugs for Alzheimer’s disease. It is very difficult to do but we do believe the brain is plastic and we can restore some of her lost cognitive capabilities using the wholistic approach described in this piece: Brain and physical xercise, improved nutrition, interesting social life, structured daily regimen.
January 27th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Can you please examine the new research about coconut oil? It seems to also provide a non Big Pharm amazing results on Alzheimers. Can you also comment on the differences between cold pressed coconut oil and refined oil? It appears that the MCT content is the same.
D.M. Wyatt
January 27th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
I found the article very interesting. Would like to hear more.
January 27th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Where do you get this drink? and the cost?
January 27th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
I read this post with great interest.
I have been taking a very high nutritional shake mix now for 5 years and in that time have seen a noted improvement in my own professional performance, memory, attitude and overall mindset.
After 20 years of prescribed antibiotics I understand the huge need for more nutritional improvement in the habits of the global population.
Thank you.
January 28th, 2010 at 5:49 am
Exciting approach and I would like to learn more about nutritional aspects of both preventing and treating the dreaded Alzheimers. I work with geriatrics and am not so far from them myself. Working as long as possible is surelya good thing
January 28th, 2010 at 6:06 am
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January 28th, 2010 at 9:29 am
I’m 75, and have been dx’d with AD for some 75 yrs. I”m on Aricept and Namenda. Aded Axona 6 mo ago, and wife and I both noticed ‘perking up’ of clinical proportions. Subjective, I know, but how nice to find something new that works!
January 28th, 2010 at 9:31 am
PS – edit for finger fault – dx for 7 yrs, not 75, tho’ some would have agreed with the first edition!
January 28th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Thanks I appreciate the provided information.I would like to see all suggested brain music CDs,and where they can be purchased. Thanks and God Bless Stan
January 29th, 2010 at 9:46 am
I would be interested in this drink, Where can one buy it or the recipe to prepare it.
Thank you , Jeannie
January 29th, 2010 at 9:57 am
My osteopath says to take 2 tablespoons of virgin, organic, cold-pressed coconut oil daily to improve cognitive functioning. It comes in solid form, which turns to liquid at room temp. Is there research on this of which you are aware?
January 29th, 2010 at 10:24 am
Lots of questions on this post, I’ll do my best to answer from the company’s perspective! Thanks to all for your thoughtful comments.
@Carol @Barbara @Sally @Jeannie- as far as we know, this drink was just used in a research environment. The original CNN article we referenced mentioned that a company called Nutricia may have a commercially available version of the drink within a year. http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/01/08/alzheimer.drink.scan/
@Carol – we have no information at this time about whether the drink would be effective for vascular dementia.
@D.M. Wyatt @Jean- We can’t comment on coconut oil, as it’s well outside our scientists’ area of expertise… will look into it though, and thank you for the suggestion.
@William @Elizabeth @Janet @David – good points all!
January 31st, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Honestly, I am happy to hear that finally some scientists make some sense. I read a lot about the importance of diet and what we put into our bodies. Food is not just fuel and nice to taste. It also is meant to repair and provide the best so that the body functions optimally. There is a theory that if everything was given to the body according to it’s needs and if we did avoid sickness etc, the body is a wonderful machine meant to live not just a hundred years, but over 200 and in optimal shape. Only a theory, however it makes you think how badly we treat our bodies with all the stuff we do to it and the rubbish we eat just because it tastes nice…..Great research guys, keep on doing the good work!!!!!
February 1st, 2010 at 2:31 pm
thanks for this article that i’m finally looking at. it looks interesting. i wonder if they’ll develop it for people who can’t handle sugar, wheat, soy, or other kinds of substances. with their web address, i can ask them myself. i also wonder if it would help me be able to use the brain fitness program without getting the gradually building horrendous headaches that i get. i love the program, but just as i really get going, my head blows off, and i have to stop.
February 6th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
very interested in using nutritionals with use of dance, memory and specific interests in delaying the loss of function. Think we could gain a lot by doing more before onset with nutrition. How does this research apply to dimentia and what is the connection between Axona and coconut oil?
February 18th, 2010 at 10:27 am
Here’s an update to this story in case you’re interested. http://www.positscience.com/blog/2010/02/18/research-and-the-media-reading-between-the-lines/
February 28th, 2010 at 12:22 am
Good posting, I favorited your blog post so I can visit again in the future, Cheers