Last time I saw my PNP, she mentioned "cognitive enhancers" to me. She named two: one was Deplin and one was another drug I have forgotten. She said she thought Deplin was available without a prescription now. I was curious, as I think my mother might benefit from a cognitive enhancer, so I asked at my pharmacy. The pharmacist said Deplin is available only by prescription. She also offered that you can buy folic acid as a supplement/vitamin (what pregnant women take to prevent spinal cord defects in their babies). But folic acid is not the same as Deplin, which has a methyl group. So, Deplin cannot be bought as a vitamin. It is prescription only, at least in my state. If it is prescription, then I would assume insurance would cover it.

My PNP said she thought many elderly people could benefit from taking a cognitive enhancer. My mother is in her eighties and in the last half year or so has shown quite a bit of coginitive decline. I wonder if Deplin would help at all? I have not heard of it being used for depression.