COGNITIVE ENHANCING DRUGS

Cognitive Enhancing Drugs



Abstract

There are several different classes of cognitive enhancers with differing chemical structures and mechanisms of action such as nootropics, beta blockers and dietary supplements. Importantly, when these pharmaceutical compounds are used for cognitive enhancement, they are not taken to treat existing medical conditions. Instead, their use is intended to enhance normal functioning in otherwise healthy individuals. Cognitive enhancers may improve memory and learning, help focus and sustain attention, or improve motivation. In this paper, we try to focus on the cognitive enhancing drugs such as piracetam and aniracetam. How they enhance cognitive function and their effectiveness.

Cognitive Enhancing Drugs

Piracetam

"The nootropic piracetam is the standard, which could be considered the father of smart drugs. It was first synthesized in 1964 by the team headed Giurgea Cornelius, the Belgian pharmaceutical company UCB (Union Chimique Belge) was founded in 1928 specializing in nervous system drugs, among others. The history of the company featured on its website (http://www.ucb.be/) highlights the importance of the launch of piracetam. This was the first substance so-called "nootropic" and the success obtained and the number of studies prompted the emergence of this class of drugs (Koskiniemi, 1998).

How Piracetam Enhance Cognitive Function

Improved learning and memory, especially if neuronal metabolism is altered by a lack of oxygen, electric shock or age-related problems. 

Facilitating the flow of information between the cerebral hemispheres. 

Improving the overall strength of the brain to physical and chemical damage. 

Be free of any psychological or physiological effect, that is not present any kind of unwanted property. 

Although originally used for motion sickness, interest grew, and in the following years a large amount of published research, some about their ability to facilitate learning and prevent cognitive problems. Although current knowledge about neurotransmitters and neuromodulators is still not very accurate, which seems certain is that a positive effect on acetylcholine. Consumers say that they wake up the brain and remain alert without over-stimulated. Improved cognitive processes in conditions of hypoxia (low oxygen available) reduced metabolic stress in these conditions. This can be beneficial for athletes in height (climbers, for example), improving performance, and for heavy smokers, where snuff abuse reduces the amount of oxygen in blood, and consequently available for body tissues. 

It is used to treat alcoholism, vertigo, senile dementia, dyslexia and many other problems, and improves learning and memory of healthy people. One of the most striking-and longer-Giurgea is quoted concerning the improvement of communication between the cerebral hemispheres, which is associated with creativity and can be the basis of the application of piracetam in the treatment of dyslexia ( laterality problems regarding the dominant cerebral hemisphere) (Tacconi, 1986).

Effectiveness of Piracetam

There is much research on its effectiveness. Here are just a few. Anyone wishing further information may apply to the research page and do a PubMed search for "piracetam". 

Study on the ingestion of piracetam and implementation of training programs in memory in a double-blind randomized study in healthy individuals with true memory impairment associated with aging. It was conducted with 162 patients with such problems. Two treatments were used in combination: taking piracetam and cognitive ...