Can Nutritional Supplements Benefit Patients Receiving Treatment for Neurodegenerative Disorders?

As the prevalence of neurocognitive disorders rises globally, developing new methodologies of prevention and treatment is crucial. This literature review examines the efficacy of adding nutritional supplements, specifically nootropics, with traditional pharmacological regimens on various neurocognitive and neurodegenerative disorders. Primary, peer-reviewed research, including both human and animal studies, was assesed to determine if there was a benefifical, minimal, or detrimental effect on symptom progression. The inclusion criteria focused on studies that evaluated the reduction in disease markers or symptoms following supplement use. The findings reveal that natural supplements generally support disease management. Significant improvements were noted with specific combinations like valproate and resveratrol in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis models, and Interferon-β with sesame oil in multiple sclerosis, showing decreased disease markers and better patient outcomes. This research suggests that nootropics and nutritional supplements can be beneficial in managing neurocognitive disorders, potentially improving patient quality of life and disease progression. Further investigations should explore these effects in human trials and consider the benefits of multiple supplement regimens.