In conclusion , a number of new active drugs were found to improve some cognitive functions , in particular verbal episodic memory .
Pharmacological cognitive enhancement refers to improvement in cognitive functions after drug use in healthy individuals .
This popular topic attracts attention both from the general public and the scientific community .
The objective was to explore innovative mechanisms of psychostimulant 's action , whose potential effectiveness was assessed in r and omized placebo-controlled trials ( RCTs ) .
Lack of effects of guanfacine on executive and memory functions in healthy male volunteers
Rationale Guanfacine is an α2-adrenergic receptor agonist that has been shown to have beneficial effects on working memory and attentional functions in monkeys and in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder . Objectives The aim of this study was to further investigate the cognitive-enhancing properties of guanfacine using an established battery of tasks measuring executive and memory functions . Methods Sixty healthy male volunteers were r and omised into three groups . Cognitive testing was performed from + 2 to + 4 h after double-blind administration of a single oral dose of 1 or 2 mg of guanfacine or placebo .  Results Systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced by both doses of guanfacine at the end of the testing session . There were no statistically significant effects on any of the cognitive measures . Two trend effects were observed with poorer performance on digit span backward and slower ‘ Go ’ reaction times after guanfacine . Conclusion This study found no improvement of prefrontal memory or executive functions  after guanfacine . Negative effects on blood pressure and trend effects on digit span backward and go reaction time indicate a mild sedative effect of guanfacine at these doses , possibly via mechanisms of autoreceptor down-regulation
In conclusion , a number of new active drugs were found to improve some cognitive functions , in particular verbal episodic memory .
Pharmacological cognitive enhancement refers to improvement in cognitive functions after drug use in healthy individuals .
This popular topic attracts attention both from the general public and the scientific community .
The objective was to explore innovative mechanisms of psychostimulant 's action , whose potential effectiveness was assessed in r and omized placebo-controlled trials ( RCTs ) .