For those not familiar with the term:
They are often referred / discussed around neurogenesis.Nootropics (/noʊ.əˈtrɒpɨks/ noh-ə-trop-iks), also referred to as smart drugs, memory enhancers, neuro enhancers, cognitive enhancers, and intelligence enhancers, are drugs, supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods that improve one or more aspects of mental function, such as working memory, motivation, and attention.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19441945 (Not sure about the actual article as there is a reference of "Expert opinion"
Nootropic agents stimulate neurogenesis. Brain Cells, Inc.: WO2007104035.
http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.100 ... -8149-9_45Abstract
The application is in the field of adult neurogenesis, neural stem cells and cellular therapy. It aims to characterize the activity of nootropic agents on adult neurogenesis in vitro. Nootropic agents are substances improving cognitive and mental abilities. AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate) and nootropic agents were assessed for the potential to differentiate human neural progenitor and stem cells into neuronal cells in vitro. They were also tested for their behavioural activity on the novel object recognition task. AMPA, piracetam, FK-960 and SGS-111 induce and stimulate neuronal differentiation of human-derived neural progenitor and stem cells. SGS-111 increases the number of visits to the novel object. The neurogenic activity of piracetam and SGS-111 is mediated through AMPA receptor. The neurogenic activity of SGS-111 may contribute and play a role in its nootropic activity. These results suggest that nootropic agents may elicit some of their effects through their neurogenic activity. The application claims the use of nootropic agents for their neurogenic activity and for the treatment of neurological diseases, disorders and injuries, by stimulating or increasing the generation of neuronal cells in the adult brain.
Nootropic Drugs in Alzheimer Disease Treatment. New Pharmacological Strategies
The above says they are actually used in the treatment of MS. Anyone had these suggested by their neuro?Abstract
Various pharmacological strategies have been employed in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD): cholinergic enhancers, psychostimulants, vasodilators, neuropeptides, opiate antagonists, nootropics and others (Court and Perry, 1992; Miller et al., 1992). Nootropics (NT) constitute a relatively new group of drugs, which are able to facilitate cognitive functions and prevent impairment of memory, induced by natural and pathological aging, brain insult, trauma, disease and intoxication. These actions are demonstrated in experimental animal models and in human (Vernon and Sorkin, 1991; Voronina, 1992). Piracetam was the first drug presented of this group. At present there has appeared a whole range of new NT in the series of pyrrolidone derivatives (oxiracetam, aniracetam, etiracetam, pramiracetam, nebracetam and etc.) and new substances of nonpyrrolidone structure. The pyrrolidone NT are often recognized as cognitive enhancing agents or “true” NT, because they proved to have none of sedative, stimulant, analeptic, anticonvulsive, myorelaxant properties. Nootropics are used for the treatment of age-related mental decline [normal aging, senile dementia, AD, mental retardation in children, psychoorganic syndromes, cerebrovascular disorders, brain trauma, post stroke, multiple sclerosis, drug abuse (alcohol, cocaine etc.), cerebral ischemia, hypoxic coma, Parkinson’s disease and etc.].
http://link.springer.com/article/10.216 ... 0000-00000
Piracetam and Piracetam-Like Drugs
From the above and other readings on these chemicals, it would appear that their greatest effect may be on brain fog or some of the newer stimulant type may be beneficial for fatigue or as a Modafinil alternative.Abstract
There is an increasing interest in nootropic drugs for the treatment of CNS disorders. Since the last meta-analysis of the clinical efficacy of piracetam, more information has accumulated. The primary objective of this systematic survey is to evaluate the clinical outcomes as well as the scientific literature relating to the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, mechanism of action, dosing, toxicology and adverse effects of marketed and investigational drugs. The major focus of the literature search was on articles demonstrating evidence-based clinical investigations during the past 10 years for the following therapeutic categories of CNS disorders: (i) cognition/memory; (ii) epilepsy and seizure; (iii) neurodegenerative diseases; (iv) stroke/ischaemia; and (v) stress and anxiety.
In this article, piracetam-like compounds are divided into three subgroups based on their chemical structures, known efficacy and intended clinical uses. Subgroup 1 drugs include piracetam, oxiracetam, aniracetam, pramiracetam and phenylpiracetam, which have been used in humans and some of which are available as dietary supplements. Of these, oxiracetam and aniracetam are no longer in clinical use. Pramiracetam reportedly improved cognitive deficits associated with traumatic brain injuries. Although piracetam exhibited no long-term benefits for the treatment of mild cognitive impairments, recent studies demonstrated its neuroprotective effect when used during coronary bypass surgery. It was also effective in the treatment of cognitive disorders of cerebrovascular and traumatic origins; however, its overall effect on lowering depression and anxiety was higher than improving memory. As add-on therapy, it appears to benefit individuals with myoclonus epilepsy and tardive dyskinesia. Phenylpiracetam is more potent than piracetam and is used for a wider range of indications. In combination with a vasodilator drug, piracetam appeared to have an additive beneficial effect on various cognitive disabilities. Subgroup 2 drugs include levetiracetam, seletracetam and brivaracetam, which demonstrate antiepileptic activity, although their cognitive effects are unclear. Subgroup 3 includes piracetam derivatives with unknown clinical efficacies, and of these nefiracetam failed to improve cognition in post-stroke patients and rolipram is currently in clinical trials as an antidepressant. The remaining compounds of this subgroup are at various preclinical stages of research.
The modes of action of piracetam and most of its derivatives remain an enigma. Differential effects on subtypes of glutamate receptors, but not the GABAergic actions, have been implicated. Piracetam seems to activate calcium influx into neuronal cells; however, this function is questionable in the light of findings that a persistent calcium inflow may have deleterious impact on neuronal cells. Although subgroup 2 compounds act via binding to another neuronal receptor (synaptic vesicle 2A), some of the subgroup 3 compounds, such as nefiracetam, are similar to those of subgroup 1. Based on calculations of the efficacy rates, our assessments indicate notable improvements in clinical outcomes with some of these agents.
A lot of the Nootropics can be sourced from many powder suppliers or even from eBay. I actually use Phenylpiracetam of recent, for its "stimulant" type effects to help exercise; ie like caffeine
