Review Article
Mishu, IJPRBS, 2012; Volume 1(4):
1(4 42-45
45
ISSN: 2277-8713
IJPRBS
MEMORY ENHANCER AGENTS (NOOTROPICS)
(NOOTROPICS
MISHU
Abstract
Accepted Date:
Nootropic is derived from Greek words noos or “mind”
26/07/2012
and tropic means “to bend/turn”.
Publish Date:
27/08/2012
mental
Keywords
functions
such
intelligence, motivation,
as
They improve
cognition,
memory,
attention and concentration.
Nontropic
They work by increasing brain oxygen, nerve growth,
Smart Drug
Corresponding Author
Ms. Mishu
brain neurotransmitters, hormones, enzymes. . U
Unlike
caffeine and amphetamine,
nootropics only act within
R.K.S.D. College of
the brain, so they lack the discomfort and danger of
Pharmacy,
stimulants. Some researches dubbed nootropics "Smart
Kaithal (Haryana)
[email protected]
Drugs."
m
Available Online At www.ijprbs.com
Review Article
Mishu, IJPRBS, 2012; Volume 1(4): 42-45
ISSN: 2277-8713
IJPRBS
INTRODUCTION
IDEAL NOOTROPICS
4) Race
tam:
Piracetam-
increases
Enhances learning, memory and resists
communication between the left and
agents impairing memory; neuroprotection
right hemispheres of the brain and
against chemical and physical agents;
protects
absence
deprived conditions.
of
negative
pharmacological
effects.
the
brain
from
oxygen-
5) Vitamins and supplements: Omega-3,
Isoflavones, Vitamin D, Vitamin B
6) Stimulants: Amphetamine, Adrenergic,
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Cholinergic, Xanthenes
Decrease platelet aggregation, increase
cerebral
blood
flow
and
oxygen
7) Dopaminergics:
L-Depo,
Dopamine
agonist, MAO-inhibitors
consumption. Increase adenylate cyclase-
8) GABA Blocker: Suritozole
breakdown of ADP to ATP, increase density
9) Glutamate activator: IDRA-21 believed
of frontal cortex ACH receptors by 30-40%.
to improve memory by enhancing long
term potentiating.
USES
10) Dietary nootropes: hemp, fish, berries-
Stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Schizophrenia,
Clotting and coagulation disorders, ADHD.
good source of choline.
11) Direct
hormones:
DRUGS
neurogenesis,
1) Plant derivative: Vinpocetin-increases
encoding and recall
blood flow in brain and improves over
all cerebral inefficiency.
2) Traditional
herbs:
vasopressin-memory
ADVERSE EFFECTS
Although nootropics are found have very
Bramhi,
Ginkgo
biloba, Shilajit.
3) Recreational
pregnelone-
few or no side effects but long use can
cause insomnia, risk of addiction, influenza,
drugs:
Amphetamine,
tetrahydrocannabinol,
4-
diarrhoea, intense hyperactivity, headaches
and heart palpations.
methylaminorex, tobacco.
Available Online At www.ijprbs.com
Review Article
Mishu, IJPRBS, 2012; Volume 1(4): 42-45
ISSN: 2277-8713
IJPRBS
LETTER
5) Vitamins and supplements: Omega-3,
Isoflavones, Vitamin D, Vitamin B
Nootropics, from the Greek "noos" for
"mind" and "tropos" for "growing," are a
6) Stimulants: Amphetamine, Adrenergic,
Cholinergic, Xanthenes
set of compounds that act safely on the
brain to improve focus, wakefulness,
cognition,
creativity,
memory,
7) Dopaminergics:
8) GABA Blocker: Suritozole- α5 partial
inverse agonist.
damage and help revitalize them. Unlike
caffeine and amphetamine, nootropics
Dopamine
agonist, MAO-inhibitors
and
alertness; many protect brain cells from
L-Depo,
9) Glutamate activator: IDRA-21 believed
to improve memory by enhancing long
only act within the brain, so they lack the
term potentiating.
discomfort and danger of stimulants.
Some
researches
dubbed
10) Dietary nootropes: hemp, fish, berries-
nootropics
"Smart Drugs."
good source of choline.
11) Direct
hormones:
LIST OF NOOTROPICS
neurogenesis,
1) Plant derivative: Vinpocetin-increases
encoding and recall.
blood flow in brain and improves over
all cerebral inefficiency.
2) Traditional
herbs:
Bramhi,
Ginkgo
biloba, Shilajit.
pregnelone-
vasopressin-memory
MECHANISM OF ACTION
• Decrease platelet aggregation.
•
Increase cerebral blood flow and oxygen
consumption.
3) Recreational
drugs:
Amphetamine,
tetrahydrocannabinol,
4-
Piracetam-
Increase adenylate cyclase-breakdown
of ADP to ATP.
methylaminorex, tobacco.
4) Racetam:
•
increases
•
Increase density of frontal cortex ACH
receptors by 30-40%.
communication between the left and
right hemispheres of the brain and
USES
protects
•
Stroke
•
Alzheimer’s disease
•
Schizophrenia
the
brain
deprived conditions.
from
oxygen-
Available Online At www.ijprbs.com
Review Article
Mishu, IJPRBS, 2012; Volume 1(4): 42-45
ISSN: 2277-8713
IJPRBS
•
Clotting and coagulation disorders
•
Intense hyperactivity
•
ADHD
•
Headaches
•
Senile Dementia
•
Heart palpations
ADVERSE EFFECTS
REFERNCES
Nootropics have very few or no adverse
effects but its prolonging use can cause
adverse effects which are as following:
1. Dorlands Medical Dictionary” Archived
from the original on 2008-01-30.
•
Insomnia
2. Lanni C, Lenzken SC and Pascale A:
•
Risk of addiction
Cognition enhancers between treating and
•
Influenza
doping the mind". Pharmacol. Res. 2008;
•
Diarrhoea
57 (3): 196-213.
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