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 .
A 22-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial of Crocus sativus in the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease
Rationale There is increasing evidence to suggest the possible efficacy of Crocus sativus ( saffron ) in the management of Alzheimer ’s disease ( AD ) . Objective The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the efficacy of C. sativus in the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate AD . Methods Fifty-four Persian-speaking adults 55 years of age or older who were living in the community were eligible to participate in a 22-week , double-blind study of parallel groups of patients with AD . The main efficacy measures were the change in the Alzheimer ’s Disease Assessment Scale — cognitive subscale and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale — Sums of Boxes scores compared with baseline . Adverse events ( AEs ) were systematic ally recorded . Participants were r and omly assigned to receive a capsule saffron 30 mg/day ( 15 mg twice per day ) or donepezil 10 mg/day ( 5 mg twice per day ) . Results Saffron at this dose was found to be effective similar to donepezil in the treatment of mild-to-moderate AD after 22 weeks . The frequency of AEs was similar between saffron extract and donepezil groups with the exception of vomiting , which occurred significantly more frequently in the donepezil group . Conclusion This phase II study provides preliminary evidence of a possible therapeutic effect of saffron extract in the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer ’s disease . This trial is registered with the Iranian Clinical Trials Registry ( I RCT 138711051556N1 )
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 .