Nootropic Drugs

Question 1

Nootropic drugs?

Answer 1

Nootropic drugs (from the Greek word “nous” - mind)
are the drugs
which can in a long-term administration improve the intellectual functions
such as
memory,
attention,
learning abilities.

Question 2

Piracetam?

Answer 2

●Piracetam is the most known of these drugs.
●The possible mechanism of its action is the improvement of metabolic processes in the brain
(activation of glycolysis,
increase of synthesis of ATP).

●It was also showed that piracetam can increase the action of acetylcholine in the CNS.

These effects contribute to the improve-
ment of memory and
other intellectual functions (mainly in patients with organic brain disorders due to the stroke or trauma).

●It is important to underline that there is not enough evidence of the beneficial effects of piracetam, in the USA this drug is not approved for clinical use.

Question 3

Piracetam (application)?

Answer 3

Used in,
▪︎Strokes
▪︎cerebral atherosclerosis
▪︎brain traumas

Question 4

Adverse effects of Piracetam?

Answer 4

Are rare
In some patients there can be,
▪︎irritability
▪︎insomnia or sleepiness
▪︎Gastrointestinal disorders.

Question 5

Alzheimer’s disease?

Answer 5

●Alzheimer’s disease is characterized
by the loss of the cortical neurons (especially cholinergic) leading to the
progressive impairment of the intellectual functions.

●The drugs used in this disease only partially improve the state of the patients &
do not prevent the progression of the disorder.

Question 6

Memantine (Alzheimer’s drug)

Answer 6

●antagonist of the glutamate
NMDA receptors.
●The block of these receptors decreases the flow of Ca2+ into the neurons and prevents their impairment.

Question 7

Rivastigmine & Galanthamine?
(Alzheimer’s drug)

Answer 7

●Centrally acting cholinesterase inhibitors
(rivastigmine, galanthamine) are administered in Alzheimer’s disease;

●they increase the level of acetylcholine in the CNS due to the block of inactivation of this neurotransmitter by acetylcholinesterase.