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 .
Treatment of cognitive impairment secondary to degenerative dementia. Effectiveness of oxiracetam therapy.
The effectiveness of Oxiracetam ( 1600 mg/day ) versus placebo was assessed in a group of 96 out- patients suffering from cognitive disorders secondary to primary degenerative dementia . The study lasted twelve months and was performed in two stage , a ) double-blind ( 26 weeks ) and b ) open study ( 26 weeks ) . The assessment of the results obtained at two , six and twelve months was carried out following both the methodology based on neuropsychological tests and scales , and the study of the simple reaction time by any of a computerized portable tachystoscope . The patients treated with Oxiracetam showed a statistically significant improvement of simple reaction time and cognitive function detected by the Attention matrix . In the placebo group after twelve months a significant worsening of cognitive and global function was observed in comparison with baseline scores . The patients themselves appeared in favor of Oxiracetam . The drug tolerability proved to be very good for the whole duration of the treatment . The authors believe that Oxiracetam favorably acts on the symptoms of senile cerebral deterioration and can improve the capability of information processing , as suggested by the better performances obtained at the reaction time test and at the Attentional Matrix test
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 .