Nootropic - memory drug

Improving memory has led to the use of drugs with non-specific actions to alter energy metabolism, cholinergic mechanism, steroid sensitivity and excitatory amino acids.

Nootropic drug is a compound that acts directly on the higher integrative brain mechanisms, enhancing their efficacy and resulting in a positive, direct impact on mental functions. They are smart drugs. In Greek the word nootropic means ‘toward the mind’, coined by Dr. Giurgea in the late 1960s.

It was designed to improve learning and memory without other central nervous system effects.

The term ‘nootropic’ is used in different ways. In central Europe, it means all drugs used to improve cognitive impairment. In Scandinavia, nootropic drugs are used to favor brain metabolism and protect the brain from toxic effects.

Any nootropic drugs should enhance learning and memory. They also should enhance the resistance of learned behaviors/memories to conditions which tend to disrupt them.

The work mechanism of the drug is not known. Some studies suggested that the drugs affect the part do the nervous system that uses acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter. Acetylcholine levels are severely depleted in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Nootropic - memory drug