Integrated treatment approach improves cognitive function in demented and clinically depressed patients

Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2005 Jan-Feb;20(1):21-6. doi: 10.1177/153331750502000103.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an integrative treatment approach on cognitive performance. The study sample comprised 35 medically ill patients (20 male, 15 female) with an average age of 71.05, who were diagnosed with mild dementia and depression. These patients were evaluated at baseline and at six, 12, and 24 months of treatment, which included antidepressants (sertraline, citalopram, or venlafaxine XR, alone or in combination with bupropion XR), cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine or galantamine), as well as vitamins and supplements (multivitamins, vitamin E, alpha-lipoic acid, omega-3 and coenzyme Q-10). Patients were encouraged to modify their diet and lifestyle and perform mild physical exercises. Results show that the integrative treatment not only protracted cognitive decline for 24 months but even improved cognition, especially memory and frontal lobe functions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / complications*
  • Alzheimer Disease / therapy
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Coenzymes
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Cognition Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Depression / complications*
  • Depression / therapy
  • Diet
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Exercise
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ubiquinone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ubiquinone / therapeutic use
  • Vitamins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Coenzymes
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Vitamins
  • Ubiquinone
  • coenzyme Q10