From the data reported in the literature , it emerges that nootropics may be an effective alternative for strengthening and enhancing cognitive performance in patients with a range of pathologies .
Although nootropics , and specifically the cholinergic precursors , already have a long history behind them , according to recent renewal of interest , they still seem to have a significant therapeutic role .
Drugs with regulatory indications for symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer 's disease , such as cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine , often have transient effects in dementia disorders .
Nootropics represent probably the first " smart drugs " used for the treatment of cognitive deficits .
The aim of this paper is to verify , by a systematic analysis of the literature , the effectiveness of nootropics in this indication .
The analysis was limited to nootropics with cholinergic activity , in view of the role played by acetylcholine in learning and memory .
Acetylcholine was the first neurotransmitter identified in the history of neuroscience and is the main neurotransmitter of the peripheral , autonomic , and enteric nervous systems .
Piracetam improves children's memory after general anaesthesia.
BACKGROUND Surgery and anaesthesia may account for postoperative complications including cognitive impairment . The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of general anaesthetics on children 's memory and effectiveness of piracetam for prevention of postoperative cognitive dysfunction . METHODS The study included patients receiving different kinds of anaesthesia for various surgical procedures , r and omly allocated to two groups . According to immediate postoperative treatment , the study group received intravenous piracetam 30 mg kg(-1 ) and the control group -- placebo . The cognitive functions were examined preoperatively and within 10 consecutive postoperative days using the ten-word memory test . RESULTS The study group consisted of 123 children , the control one -- of 127 . Declines in memory indexes were observed in all anaesthetized patients . The most injured function was long-term memory . The intravenous administration of piracetam improved this cognitive function . CONCLUSIONS The study results confirm that general anaesthesia affects the memory function in children .  Piracetam is effective for prevention of postoperative cognitive dysfunction after anaesthesia
From the data reported in the literature , it emerges that nootropics may be an effective alternative for strengthening and enhancing cognitive performance in patients with a range of pathologies .
Although nootropics , and specifically the cholinergic precursors , already have a long history behind them , according to recent renewal of interest , they still seem to have a significant therapeutic role .
Drugs with regulatory indications for symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer 's disease , such as cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine , often have transient effects in dementia disorders .
Nootropics represent probably the first " smart drugs " used for the treatment of cognitive deficits .
The aim of this paper is to verify , by a systematic analysis of the literature , the effectiveness of nootropics in this indication .
The analysis was limited to nootropics with cholinergic activity , in view of the role played by acetylcholine in learning and memory .
Acetylcholine was the first neurotransmitter identified in the history of neuroscience and is the main neurotransmitter of the peripheral , autonomic , and enteric nervous systems .