Does Ginkgo Improve Memory in HIV Positive People?

[Guest guest]

http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Nutrition/Q223623.html Regards, VergelDirectorhttp://powerusa.org/ http://www.testosteronewisdom.com/ http://www.agingwithhiv.org/ Groups:/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/testosteronereplacement/ https://www.facebook.com/PoWeRUSA?ref=ts

[Guest guest]

Hi !On Tue, Jul 17, 2012 at 5:37 PM, Vergel <nelsonvergel@...> wrote:

 

http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Nutrition/Q223623.html 

Unfortunately, my HIV disease was not caught until nadir CD4+ count had reached *6* and a neurocognitive evaluation confirmed what I feared: cognitive deficits, with scores in the impaired range for executive functioning.  Is the best advice you have to offer get exercise and good sleep hygiene?  Your response mentioned cognitive training and medication, also, and I would be interested in reading anything you could add expanding on that.  What kind of cognitive training?  What medications?  Unfortunately, learning a new language isn't a real option right now due to other school commitments.  Also, I've had my testosterone checked, and because it falls within the normal range, my doctors refuse to consider HRT.

Methylphenidate *definitely* has helped with memory, concentration, and focus.  One of my previous psychiatrists put me on donepezil, which I thought was helping, but my new psychiatrist has taken me off the donepezil and is fighting me over the methylphenidate.  He nixed the idea of guanfacine, too.

I've done a fair amount of research lately on treatments for HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment and dementia (I've pretty much become a specialist in HIV social work), and one 135-page meta-analysis of all the studies on HAD and HAND concludes that *none* of the pharmacological treatments are effective.  I was just wondering if you had anything to add.  I'm having serious problems with transfer of material from short-term memory to long-term memory, and I'm looking for some solutions.

Many thanks for your good work.Best regards,Nick-- Nick , LSW

6631 Clemens Ave., Apt. 1EUniversity City, MO 63130

thenick58@...

http://nicknicholas.net

[Guest guest]

Hi !On Tue, Jul 17, 2012 at 5:37 PM, Vergel <nelsonvergel@...> wrote:

 

http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Nutrition/Q223623.html 

Unfortunately, my HIV disease was not caught until nadir CD4+ count had reached *6* and a neurocognitive evaluation confirmed what I feared: cognitive deficits, with scores in the impaired range for executive functioning.  Is the best advice you have to offer get exercise and good sleep hygiene?  Your response mentioned cognitive training and medication, also, and I would be interested in reading anything you could add expanding on that.  What kind of cognitive training?  What medications?  Unfortunately, learning a new language isn't a real option right now due to other school commitments.  Also, I've had my testosterone checked, and because it falls within the normal range, my doctors refuse to consider HRT.

Methylphenidate *definitely* has helped with memory, concentration, and focus.  One of my previous psychiatrists put me on donepezil, which I thought was helping, but my new psychiatrist has taken me off the donepezil and is fighting me over the methylphenidate.  He nixed the idea of guanfacine, too.

I've done a fair amount of research lately on treatments for HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment and dementia (I've pretty much become a specialist in HIV social work), and one 135-page meta-analysis of all the studies on HAD and HAND concludes that *none* of the pharmacological treatments are effective.  I was just wondering if you had anything to add.  I'm having serious problems with transfer of material from short-term memory to long-term memory, and I'm looking for some solutions.

Many thanks for your good work.Best regards,Nick-- Nick , LSW

6631 Clemens Ave., Apt. 1EUniversity City, MO 63130

thenick58@...

http://nicknicholas.net

[Guest guest]

Hi Nick and others - here are some thoughts around brain function that I've found have helped me.I've had some success taking lithium orotate supplements (that one of my docs recommended) for preserving and enhancing brain function.  I take 10mg twice/day in tablet form.  I had a nadir (lowest CD4 level) of 0 for several years many years ago - pre-ART - and I've found it has helped my memory, multitasking etc.  Not sure what and others think...

And yes, sleep/exercise seem key I've found.  Another useful food has been green tea - matcha tea - which also seems to help me with concentration... 

[Guest guest]

Hi Nick and others - here are some thoughts around brain function that I've found have helped me.I've had some success taking lithium orotate supplements (that one of my docs recommended) for preserving and enhancing brain function.  I take 10mg twice/day in tablet form.  I had a nadir (lowest CD4 level) of 0 for several years many years ago - pre-ART - and I've found it has helped my memory, multitasking etc.  Not sure what and others think...

And yes, sleep/exercise seem key I've found.  Another useful food has been green tea - matcha tea - which also seems to help me with concentration...