Harikumar K. et al. / Journal of Pharmaceutical Biology, 6(1), 2016, 14-19. Journal of Pharmaceutical Biology www.jpbjournal.com e-ISSN - 2249-7560 Print ISSN - 2249-7579 NOOTROPICS- MEMORY BOOSTERS K.Hari Kumar*, Mitta Srija, D.K.Sandeep, Ramisetty Davarika, Gunda Sai Mounica Department of Pharmacology, Sri Venkateswara College of Pharmacy, R.V.S.Nagar, Chittoor-517127, Andhra Pradesh, India. ABSTRACT Nootropics also called as smart drug, memory enhancers, neuron enhancers, cognitive enhancers and intelligent enhancers are drugs, supplements, neutraceuticals and functional foods that provide one or more aspects of mental function. Specific effect can include improvement to working memory motivation or attention. Nootropics drugs are able to promote, enhance and protect cognitive functions. As cognition is the typically human higher activity of brain, nootropic concept looked quite appealing for scores of people dreaming to enjoy better and longer lasting mental activity and for drug maker keen to produce such enviable products. There are large number of drugs which can be used as nootropic agents and help to enhance memory of people. Nootropics offer lot of benefits for cognitive aptitude and brain health. Nootropics used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease, dementia and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Keywords: Nootropics, Huntington’s disease, Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease. INTRODUCTION It is derived from Greek words “NOOS –Mind” But non-ADHD medications and supplements are more “Tropein – Turn/Bend”. They are also called as memory frequently used for performance enhancement. Many enhancers, Smart nutrients, Cerebroactive drugs and individuals use these drugs for performance enhancement cognition enhancers. Scientifically they are represented as and/or to gain some sort of competitive edge in academics nootropics. or occupational work. These are a heterogeneous group of drugs 1. Medical treatment: Nootropics are often used to treat a developed in dementia and other cerebral disorders. They variety of medical conditions ranging from ADHD to do elicit pharmacological effects, but widely different wakefulness disorders. Those who receive various forms mechanisms of action are claimed. Therapeutic benefits of nootropics for medical conditions arguably need them are limited, at the best, short –lasting. in order to properly function. ADHD: Those who are diagnosed with attention- Types of nootropics deficit disorder generally are prescribed various forms of 1. Racetams psychostimulant medications. These medications improve 2. Ampakines many aspects of cognition including: memory, 3. Choline and ach intermediates concentration, and organization of thoughts. 4. Synthetic B-vitamins derived nootropics Chronic fatigue syndrome: In some cases, people 5. Natural drugs with CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) need medication so 6. Peptides that they can function. Energy drinks only help these 7. Smart drugs individuals to a certain extent. Therefore a psychostimulant or medication like Nuvigil is often Why do people use nootropics? prescribed. There are several reasons why people use Neurodegenerative disorders: Many nootropics nootropics. They are most often used for medical have been suggested to provide benefit for those with conditions such as ADHD and are regulated substances. Corresponding Author:- K.Hari Kumar Email:- [email protected] 14 | P a g e Harikumar K. et al. / Journal of Pharmaceutical Biology, 6(1), 2016, 14-19. various neurodegenerative disorders such as: Alzheimer’s Memorization: In addition to improving disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and concentration, many also boost memory functions. If a dementia. Some have even been investigated to help treat person needs to boost their memory function, the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Productivity: Others are taking these drugs just Sleep wakefulness disorders: People with to see how much they can accomplish. Those who are conditions such as: narcolepsy, excessive daytime looking to increase their productivity in all aspects of life sleepiness, and shift-work disorder often benefit from may experiment with nootropics. stimulating drugs, many of which are considered Less sleep: Those who want to get more done nootropics. and sleep less, may take a nootropic like Nuvigil (which Treatment-resistant depression: Some people are promotes wakefulness). This allows the person to able to obtain a prescription for various nootropics as a accomplish quite a bit throughout the day without any result of having treatment-resistant depression. For fatigue. example, some psychiatrists may consider prescribing Adderall for depression as an antidepressant augmentation Comprehensive List of Nootropics (Smart Drugs) strategy Below is an extensive list of nootropics or “smart 2. Performance enhancement: Nootropics are also drugs.” It is important to understand that while many may commonly used for the purposes of gaining an edge on improve cognition, there are concerns regarding long- the competition. Using nootropics could be thought of as term effects. Additionally among individuals without being analogous to a bodybuilder taking steroids. In this fully developed brains, the usage of these substances case it allows an individual to surpass their natural genetic should be discouraged. Keep in mind that many of the limitations. substances listed below have not been medically tested, Academic advantage: In academics, students are thus having scientifically unverified or poor evidence to using nootropics to help them remember more and study support nootropic claims. Long-term effects and safety of more efficiently. Students are taking these drugs to help nootropics haven’t been established. improve scores on various tests and to write papers. Let’s face it, academics is becoming more competitive than in Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors years past, and any mental edge that a student has on the Galantamine competition will help them get into a good college and/or Huperzine A build an optimal academic resume. Occupational performance: Some people may Ampakines use these for a competitive advantage on certain This is a class of nootropics that is suggested to cognitively-demanding jobs. For example, a person who improve attention, learning, memory, and vigilance. The needs to crunch numbers all day and critical thinking as classification as “Ampakines” is derived from the fact that part of their job may benefit from using nootropics. they influence the AMPA receptor, responsible for Sports: Many nootropics are known to improve binding to glutamate. the performance of athletes. They can increase focus, Ampalex (CX-516) spatial orientation, and allow an athlete to surpass their CX-717 natural genetic limitations. Farampator (CX-691) 3. Biohacking: Individuals may want to try nootropics as Sunifiarm a means of biohacking. Usually people who are drawn to Unifiram these substances are individuals looking to alter their natural biological state of functioning. Many people put Cholinergics themselves through nootropic “trials” in order to This class of supplements influences the determine how their mental functioning improves as a neurotransmission of acetylcholine in the brain. result. As a result, there are many intriguing reports Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is associated with surfacing on the internet from people that have used cortical excitement and is well-known to influence nootropics. attentional tasks, alertness, as well as reward processing. Concentration: These substances are known to Nootropics that influence choline tend to increase levels increase concentration, but many vary in their effects. of acetylcholine. Some people are taking these in varying amounts to self- Alpha GPC experiment ant determine the degree to which they help Choline people concentrate. Choline Bitartrate Motivation: Some nootropics are known to Choline Citrate increase overall levels of motivation. This is a very Citicoline (CDP-Choline) common effect when a person begins using stimulants – DMAE their motivation skyrockets and they get more done. 15 | P a g e Harikumar K. et al. / Journal of Pharmaceutical Biology, 6(1), 2016, 14-19. Lecithin Bacopa monnieri Phosphatidylcholine Forskolin Ginkgo biloba Dopaminergics Grape Seed Extract This is a classification of substances that Green Tea influence levels of the neurotransmission dopamine Panax ginseng throughout the brain. They can include dopamine Hordenine reuptake inhibitors, enzymes, and other antidepressants. Isoflavones Many psychostimulants are of dopaminergic nature, and Kava Kava thus could also fit within this classification. Kratom Bromantane Lion’s Mane DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA) Lemon Balm L-Dopa Oat Straw Extract L-Theanine Piperine Mucuna Pruriens Pterostilbene Phenylethylamine (PEA) Resveratrol Rasagiline Rhodiola Rosea Selegiline Stablon (Tianeptine) Hormones Sulbutiamine This classification of nootropics involves Suntheanine hormonal-based nootropics. In other words, specific Tyrosine (4-hydroxyphenylalanine) hormones are known to improve cognition when they are released within the body. When hormones are released, Eugeroics they can elicit a response from certain neurotransmitters This classification of drugs is known as and alter brain activity. Certain hormones may increase “wakefulness-promoting.” Eugeroic drugs are often arousal and brain activation, while others may promote a prescribed to treat those with