Replenishing and increasing neurotransmitters of Nootropic
As the brain ages, its ability to produce and maintain youthful levels of neurotransmitters declines.[2] There are various reasons for such an insufficiency. For instance, there might be a lack of enzymes involved in the neurotransmitter synthesis. Nevertheless, in many cases, providing the brain with ample raw materials necessary to make neurotransmitters can restore them to more youthful levels and thus help maintain cognitive function at vigorous youthful levels.[citation needed] Furthermore, there are declines in immune and endocrine functioning.[3] Certain nootropics enhance immune and endocrine functioning.
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Nootropics, popularly referred to as "smart drugs", "smart nutrients", "cognitive enhancers" and "brain enhancers", are a class of drugs that improve impaired human cognitive abilities (the functions and capacities of the brain).[1] The term covers a broad range of substances including drugs, nutrients and herbs that have purported cognitive enhancing effects.
The word nootropic was coined in 1964 by the Romanian Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea, derived from the Greek words noos, or "mind," and tropein meaning "to bend/turn". Typically, nootropics are alleged to work by altering the availability of the brain's supply of neurochemicals (neurotransmitters, enzymes, and hormones), by improving the
Fipexide is a piperazine derivative drug invented in Italy in 1983.[1]
It was used as a nootropic drug in France and Italy, mainly for the treatment of senile dementia,[2] but is no longer in common use due to the occurrence of rare adverse drug reactions including fever[3] and hepatitis. Fipexide is similar in action to other nootropic drugs such as piracetam and is structurally similar to another more well-known nootropic, centrophenoxine.
Neurotransmitter transporters are proteins that span cellular membranes and that serve to carry neurotransmitters across these membranes and to transport them to specific locations. There are more than twenty types of neurotransmitter transporters.[1] The transporters exist in the membranes of neurons and glia.
Vesicular transporters move neurotransmitters into synaptic vesicles, regulating the concentrations of substances within them.[2] Vesicular transporters rely on a proton gradient created by the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in order to carry out their work: vesicle ATPase hydrolyzes ATP, causing protons to be pumped into the vesicle and creating a proton gradient. Then the efflux of protons
Linopirdine is a psychostimulant/nootropic, which has neuroprotective effects. It acts as a potassium channel blocker, and releases acetylcholine, which is probably responsible for its nootropic action.
Along with other cholinergics or acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as Huperzine A, galantamine also has been used as nootropic or "brain enhancer". [13]
Carbenoxolone has also been investigated for nootropic effects.[1]
This research started from an observation that long-term exposure to glucocorticoids may have negative effects on cognition. Carbenoxolone may decrease the amount of active glucocortocoid in the brain, because the drug inhibits 11Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, an enzyme which activates cortisol from cortisone, a glucocorticoid. In the research trial investigating this use of carbenoloxone, it was shown that the drug improved verbal fluency in elderly healthy men (aged 55-75). In type 2 diabetics aged 52-70, the drug improved verbal memory. However, it should be noted that potassium-sparing diuretic amiloride was co-administered with carbenoxolone,
A number of studies on healthy volunteers have demonstrated vinpocetine may elicit improvement on some aspects of memory. [5] [6] The degree which the nootropic effects of vinpocetine are mediated by mechanisms beyond vasodilation is currently unknown.
A number of studies on healthy volunteers have demonstrated vinpocetine may elicit improvement on some aspects of memory. [5] [6] The degree which the nootropic effects of vinpocetine are mediated by mechanisms beyond vasodilation is currently unknown.
Amperometry uses a carbon electrode to record changes in the chemical composition of the oxidized components of a biological solution. Oxidation and reduction is accomplished by changing the voltage at the active surface of the recording electrode in a process known as "scanning". Because certain brain chemicals lose or gain electrons at characteristic voltages, individual species can be identified. Amperometry has been used for studying exocytosis in the neural and endocrine systems. Many monoamine neurotransmitters, e.g., norepinephrine (noradrenalin), dopamine, serotonin (5-HT), are oxidizable. The method can also be used with cells that do not secrete oxidizable neurotransmitters by "loading" them
Aniracetam (Draganon, Sarpul, Ampamet) is a nootropic compound of the racetam family purported to be considerably more potent than piracetam. It is lipid soluble and has possible cognition enhancing effects. It has been tested in animals extensively, Alzheimer's patients and temporarily-impaired healthy subjects. It has shown potential as an anxiolytic in three clinical animal models. Sold in the US as a dietary supplement while used in Europe as a prescription drug.
Aniracetam is an ampakine class Nootropic.
LY-503,430 is an ampakine drug developed by Eli Lilly.[1]
LY-503,430 produces both nootropic and neuroprotective effects, reducing brain damage caused by 6-hydroxydopamine or MPTP and also increasing levels of the neurotrophic factor BDNF in the brain, particularly in the substantia nigra, hippocampus and striatum.[2][3] It is orally active and the main application it is currently being developed for is treatment of Parkinson's Disease although it has also been proposed to be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, depression and schizophrenia.[4][5]
Cholinergics are substances that affect the neurotransmitter acetylcholine or the components of the nervous system that use acetylcholine. Acetylcholine facilitates memory, concentration, focus, and high-order thought processes (abstract thought, calculation, innovation, etc.).[citation needed] Increasing the availability of this neurotransmitter in the brain may improve these functions and increase the duration in which they may be engaged without slowing down or stopping. Oversupplying the brain with acetylcholine may have the opposite effect, temporarily reducing rather than improving mental performance.[citation needed] Cholinergic nootropics include acetylcholine precursors and cofactors, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors:
Some regular food items are rich sources of substances with alleged nootropic benefits:
Nuts, in particular walnuts, are rich sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid. A mixture of walnuts served with dried fruit pieces is known in some regions as student food (orig. German: Studentenfutter) and is popularly recommended as a snack for students.
Oily fish, such as salmon or fresh tuna (not tuna canned in oil) are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, whose lack in diet has been associated with increased risk of mental illnesses such as
Tricyanoaminopropene (TRIAP, TCAP, Malononitrile Dimer, 1,1,3-tricyano-2-amino-1-propene) is a nootropic drug which mimics the function of nerve growth factor and increases the growth of nerves and tissue regeneration both in isolated tissues[1] and in vivo. It stimulates the action of the enzyme choline acetyltransferase, resulting in increased acetylcholine production.[2] This then results in increased synthsis of RNA in many different tissues in the body. [3] However it also suppresses the production of thyroxine, causing temporary hypothyroidism which returns to normal once the drug is discontinued.[4]
Tricyanoaminopropene reduces the amnesia produced by electroconvulsive shock,[5] and animal tests suggested nootropic activity,[6][7][8] but no beneficial
Racetams are a class of nootropic drugs that share a pyrrolidine nucleus.
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