• Derived from the periwinkle plant, vinpocetine improves blood flow, oxygenation and metabolism in the brain. In studies involving adults with cognitive impairments due to poor cerebral blood flow, vinpocetine significantly improved blood flow velocity, and the cognition abilities of participants, including memory.
• May offer prophylactic neuroprotection in patients at high risk of ischemic stroke.

   DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) 

• Another source of choline for increasing levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Studies have shown that DMAE is effective in increasing levels of choline in the brain.

   Bacopa Monera Extract (BME)

• An Ayurvedic medicinal herb used traditionally as a revitalizing herb, primarily for enhancing cognitive functioning. Recently, studies also support bacopa monnera’s role as a potent protector of the brain and memory.
• Memory Enhancer. Human studies conducted on seventy six adults, between the ages of 40 and 65, showed significant improvements in memory retention of learning new information.
• Neuro Protection. Acting as a powerful neuron antioxidant, BME was shown to provide significant protection against free radical induced toxicity of the neurons as well as a protector of DNA against damage. Further protection was demonstrated for aluminum induced oxidative stress, and against excitotoxcity elicited in epileptic rats.
• Anti-Depressant. BME was found to provide important antidepressant activity in animal studies.
• Reduction in beta-amyloid deposits in the brain (as is characteristic of Alzheimer’ disease), in animal research. The authors suggest that such mechanisms of action may have application in Alzheimer’s.

   Curcumin 

• Curcumin is a traditional healing herb in the cultures of India and other asian countries. Modern research has verified the medicinal value of curcumin, including indications as a potent anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and brain longevity nutrient.
• Anti-Inflammatory. In the brain, inflammation is suspected to be a causative agent of many neuro pathologies, including Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin significantly inhibited pro-inflammatory substances generated by the immune cells. For example, in Alzheimer’s disease, the formation of amyloid plaques (characteristic of the disease) stimulates an over activation of the immune cells, creating a chronic state of inflammation. This continuous state of inflammation will eventually cause the death of neurons in the brain.   
• Reduces Amyloid Plaques.  In Alzheimer mice models, curcumin administration enabled the dispersal and clearing of amyloid plaques. There was also a partial restoration of dendrites which were damaged by the plaques.
• Prevention and Reduction of Diabetic Cognitive Decline. The diabetic condition brings about many changes in the brain which result in decreased levels of cognition. Curcumin, in research with diabetic rats, significantly reversed mental declines. Curcumin improved the acetylcholine levels (by reversing increases in acetycholinesterase – the enzyme which breaks down acetylcholine), reduced oxidative stress and inflammation.
•  Attenuates damage to the blood-brain-barrier and brain after a stroke.  The neuroprotective ability of curcumin extends to that of being  protective against damage resulting from cerebral ischemia (i.e. a stroke). In research studies, the area of ischemia damage to the brain was significantly reduced, due to curcumin protecting the blood-brain-barrier.
• Protects against memory loss due to heavy metal toxicity. Lab animals fed curcumin in conjunction with the heavy metal lead, experienced less memory impairment than those not taking curcumin.

   Ginseng

• Ginsenosides from Panax ginseng is involved in several major areas of cognitive improvement. Ginsenosides are not only protecting the brain, but also providing the potent ability to regenerate parts of the neuronal network in damaged brains.
• Ginseng is capable of neuron and neuronal network regeneration, which may hold significant importance for neurodegenerative diseases where there is a loss of neurons (such as Alzheimer’s disease).
• In normal adult mice, the ginsenoside Rg1, was shown to increase the number of neural cells in the hippocampus (the memory area) part of the brain.
• Protection of the neurons of the brain.  Ginsenosides protect neurons from cell death by their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. More specific research has shown protection for the cholinergic (in Alzheimer’s animal models) and dopamine neurons. As such, it is suggested that ginsensoides may play a therapeutic role in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson diseases.

  Wild Blueberry Extract

• Blueberries are one of the most powerful antioxidants for enhancing memory and preserving brain function. It has been demonstrated that blueberry anthocyanins are capable of crossing the blood-brain-barrier and become localized in the memory and learning centers of the brain (including the hippocampus, cerebellum and cortex).
• Memory Enhancement. Blueberry facilitates neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons) in the hippocampus (memory) region of the brain. The hippocampus is the area responsible for short-term memory. This study focused on blueberry supplemented diets of aged rats. The study found a direct correlation between the increase in proliferation of new neurons and the ability of the aged rats to perform in maze navigation studies.
• Better control of body movements. Aged research rats fed blueberry extract were found to have higher levels of brain neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is the chemical in the brain responsible for controlling body movements. This was reflected in the fact that the blueberry fed animals had much better neuromotor control.
• Targets oxidative stress and inflammation. Aging of the brain is accelerated by conditions of oxidative stress and inflammation. Bilberry is both a potent antioxidant and has also been shown to significantly reduce the release of inflammatory enzymes associated with neuroinflammation. Oxidative stress and inflammation are toxic to neurons and can lead to the death of the brain cells.
• Enabling “normal” memory functioning in mice with amyloid brain plaques. Blueberry fed mice with brain plaques performed maze maneuvering tasks as effectively as mice without plaques. Mice with plaques which did not receive blueberry supplementation fared much worse. The research group discovered that blueberry increases the levels of two enzymes (kinases) in the brain related to converting short-term to long-term memory.

  Ashwagandha

• Known as a revitalizing tonic for the brain and body, ashwagandha is also a herb becoming recognized for its ability to enhance cognition and rebuild components of the neuronal network in damaged brains. 
•  Inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is the chemical neurotransmitter in the brain which functions to optimize mental clarity and memory. Many diseases in the brain are associated with low levels of acetylcholine. Levels of acetylcholine can be raised by inhibiting the enzyme (acetylcholinesterase) which breaks down acetylcholine. Ashwagandha is a natural acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, and can increase levels of acetylcholine. The most commonly prescribed drugs for mental dementia also work on this principle.
• Regeneration of neuronal network. Therapeutic and long lasting changes to damaged brains requires regeneration of the neuronal network. In mice which have suffered amlyoid induced neuron atrophy (as in Alzheimer’s disease), ashwagandha (as well as panax ginseng) were shown to regenerate axons, dendrites and reconstruct synapses in damaged neurons. The mice in these studies showed a significant improvement in memory function.