Nutrition, Aids and Coping Following Brain Tumors: Making the Best of What is Left
by Jim Hollens, 22 year malignant brain tumor survivor Long-term member of Braintmr Internet Support Group
Mailto: jhollen@mind.net
A recurring theme on the Brain Tumor listserve has been coping with, and, attempting to more fully function while limited by a debilitating short-term memory loss. The following is a result of a literature search on supplements, physical aides, and strategies--some that I have personally found valuable after undergoing 3 craniotomies and a full course of radiation for malignant brain tumors. Perhaps this material will serve to help others facing this problem.
Memory Enhancing Supplements
Phosphatidylserene, alone, or in lecithin which contains 1-3% phosphatidylserene, (as granules, roughly a heaping tablespoon) taken in yogurt, applesauce, etc. improves memory(1,6). Posphatidylcholine, also in lecithin, aids memory(11).
Panax ginseng root has been shown to facilitate memory ,and, boosts the immune system. The American grown variety is highly prized in the Orient, and, can be taken in 3 doses of approximately 50mg. each, on a daily basis (3,4). Other Oriental Herbs such as Huperzia serrata containing Huperzia A (15), and, mixed herb preparations, demonstrate high potential for use(2-5).
DHEA may also have promise in improving memory(10).
Healthy nutritional levels, particularly in conjunction with vitamins A, C, & E supplementation may also be useful (13,14).
[This material is intended for information purposes only, Please consult your Medical Professional for advice.]
Helpful Aids to Memory
Aides, such as digital "Voice-it" products(1-800-the-voice), Radio Shack's "Voice Organizer," "Data-Link" watches from Microsoft-Timex help scheduling.
Computers, hand-held, and home PC's assist in memory storage & retrieval.
Dry-erase boards at home can track family members.
Pocket-sized daily planner/schedulers can keep one on task, and timely. Even the yellow sticky notes work for quick messages.
These strategies must be used regularly and incorporated in a new lifestyle in order be effective. The head-injured must become ritualistic, for example, keys & wallet in the same place, or places every time. Following the same route to, and from an exercise location every time.
REFERENCES: (Medline accession # for full text of citations from your hospital's Medical Library)
(1) Furushiro-M. Suzuki-S. Shishido-Y. Sakai-M. Yamatoya-H. Kudo-S. Hashimoto-S. Yokokura-T. Effects of oral administration of soybean lecithin transphosphatidylated phosphatidylserine on impaired learning of passive avoidance in mice. Japanese Journal of Pharmacology 1997 Dec. 75(4). P 447-50.
(2)Medline No.: 97460904. Bogatova-R-I. Shlykova-L-V. Sal'nitskii-V-P. Vikman-G. Evaluation of the effect of a single dose of phytoadaptogen on human's working ability during long-term isolation. Aviakosmicheskaia I E,ologicheskaia Meditsina. 1997. 31(4). P 51-4.
3)Medline No.: 91098725. ***************** Zhao-X-Z. Antisenility effect of ginseng-rhizome saponin. Chung-Hsi-I-Chieh-Ho-Tsa-Chih. Chinese Journal of Modern Developments in Traditional Medicine. 1990. Oct. 10(10). P 586-9
(4) No.: 98154530. Wesnes-K-A. Faleni-R-A. Hefting-N-R. Hoogsteen-G. Houben-J-J. Jenkins-E. Jonkman-J-H. Leonard-J. Petrini-O. van-Lier-J-J. The cognitive, subjective, and physical effects of a ginkgo biloba/Panax ginseng combination in healthy volunteers with neurasthenic complaints. Psychopharmacology Bulletin. 1997. 33(4). P 677-83. .
(5)Medline No.: 97216443. Watanabe-H. Candidates for cognitive enhancer extracted from medicinal plants: paeoniflorin and tetramethylpyrazine. Behavioural Brain Research. 1997 Feb. 83(1-2). P 135-41. Abstract: A traditional Chinese medicine, Shimotsu-to, consisting of four herbs: Japanese angelica root, cnidium rhizome, peony root and rehmannia root, has been reported to improve spatial working memory in rats. The present results indicate that Paeoniflorin and tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) extracted from peony root and cnidium rhizome, respectively, are candidates for cognitive enhancer.
(6)Medline No.: 92343487. Nunzi-M-G. Guidolin-D. Petrelli-L. Polato-P. Zanotti-A. Behavioral and morpho-functional correlates of brain aging: a preclinical study with phosphatidylserine. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 1992. 318. P 393-8.
(7)Medline No.97142897. La-Rue-A. Koehler-K-M. Wayne-S-J. Chiulli-S-J. Haaland-K-Y. Garry-P-J. Nutritional status and cognitive functioning in a normally aging sample: a 6-y reassessment. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1997 Jan. 65(1). P 20-9. Comment in: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1997 Aug. 66(2). P 449-50.
(8)Medline No.: 97142897. La-Rue-A. Koehler-K-M. Wayne-S-J. Chiulli-S-J. Haaland-K-Y. Garry-P-J. Nutritional status and cognitive functioning in a normally aging sample: a 6 yr. reassessment [see comments] American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1997 Jan. 65(1). P 20-9. Comment in: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1997 Aug. 66(2). P 449-50.
(9)Medline No.: 97170373. Rameis-H. Internal medicine aspects and characteristics of nutrition in patients with cerebral cognitive deficits Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift. 1996. 146(21-22). P 549-55.
(10)Medline No.: 98072359. Rhodes-M-E. Li-P-K. Burke-A-M. Johnson-D-A. Enhanced plasma DHEAS, brain acetylcholine and memory mediated by steroid sulfatase inhibition. Brain Research. 1997 Oct 31. 773(1-2). P 28-32.
(11)Medline No.: 91292784. Volger-B-W. Alternatives in the treatment of memory loss in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Clinical Pharmacy. 1991 Jun. 10(6). P 447-56.
(12)Medline No.: 97142897. La-Rue-A. Koehler-K-M. Wayne-S-J. Chiulli-S-J. Haaland-K-Y. Garry-P-J. Nutritional status and cognitive functioning in a normally aging sample: a 6 yr reassessment American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1997 Jan. 65(1). P 20-9. And 1997 Aug. 66(2). P 449-50.
(13)Medline No.: 97324561. Perrig-W-J. Perrig-P. Stahelin-H-B. The relation between antioxidants and memory performance in the old and very old. Journal of The American Geriatriatrics Society. 1997 Jun. 45(6). P 718-24.
(14) de Rijk MC, Breteler MM, den Breeijen JH, Launer LJ, Grobbee DE, van der MecheFG, Hofman A Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Erasmus University Medical School, Rotterdam, The Netherland. Dietary antioxidants and Parkinson disease. "The Rotterdam Study". Arch Neurol 1997 Jun;54(6):762-765.
(15)MedlineNo.: 97204188. Cheng-D-H. Ren-H. Tang-X-C. Huperzine A, a novel promising acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Neuroreport. 1996 Dec 20. 8(1). P 97-101. . Abstract: The effects of huperzine A on memory impairments induced by scopolamine... *****
[This material is intended for information purposes only, Please consult your Medical Professional for advice.] James Hollens, retired Taxonomic Botanist,(PNW), 827 Leonard St. , Ashland,Oregon, USA