Pharmacological cognitive enhancers

Peltier, MacKenzie R.; Sofuoglu, Mehmet

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-815298-0.00023-x

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 161 publications

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“…Whilst the modulation of central noradrenaline, glutamate, and dopamine levels in healthy individuals seeks to enhance CE users' cognitive functions beyond baseline levels, this may well lead to a range of both medical (e.g. cardiovascular; neurological [84][85][86]), and psychopathological [87] complications, with this being especially true for psychobiologically vulnerable, but otherwise healthy, individuals [88,89] (see Table 1).…”

Section: Evidence For Potential Harms Of Ces In Healthy Individualsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benefits and Harms of ‘Smart Drugs’ (Nootropics) in Healthy Individuals

Schifano

Catalani

Sharif

et al. 2022

Drugs

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Smart drugs' (also known as 'nootropics ' and 'cognitive enhancers' [CEs]) are being used by healthy subjects (i.e. students and workers) typically to improve memory, attention, learning, executive functions and vigilance, hence the reference to a 'pharmaceutical cognitive doping behaviour'. Whilst the efficacy of known CEs in individuals with memory or learning deficits is well known, their effect on non-impaired brains is still to be fully assessed. This paper aims to provide an overview on the prevalence of use; putative neuroenhancement benefits and possible harms relating to the intake of the most popular CEs (e.g. amphetamine-type stimulants, methylphenidate, donepezil, selegiline, modafinil piracetam, benzodiazepine inverse agonists, and unifiram analogues) in healthy individuals. CEs are generally perceived by the users as effective, with related enthusiastic anecdotal reports. However, their efficacy in healthy individuals is uncertain and any reported improvement temporary. Conversely, since most CEs are stimulants, the related modulation of central noradrenaline, glutamate, and dopamine levels may lead to cardiovascular, neurological and psychopathological complications. Furthermore, CEs' use can be associated with paradoxical short-and long-term cognitive decline; decreased potential for plastic learning; and addictive behaviour. Finally, the non-medical use of any potent psychotropic raises serious ethical and legal issues, with nootropics having the potential to become a major public health concern. Further studies investigating CE-associated social, psychological, and biological outcomes are urgently needed to allow firm conclusions to be drawn on the appropriateness of CE use in healthy individuals. Key points• Cognitive enhancers (CEs) are extensively and increasingly being used by healthy active subjects, with student use having been reported in the range of 1.3-33% across studies, with variations depending on country and definition of cognitive doping. However, their efficacy on non-impaired brains is uncertain and any reported improvement is temporary. • Conversely, since most CEs are stimulants, the modulation of central neurotransmitter pathways could lead to severe complications and can be associated with paradoxical short-and long-term cognitive decline; decreased potential for plastic learning; and addictive behaviour. • Finally, non-medical use of CEs raises serious ethical and legal issues, and CEs have the potential to become a major public health concern

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Section: Evidence For Potential Harms Of Ces In Healthy Individualsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benefits and Harms of ‘Smart Drugs’ (Nootropics) in Healthy Individuals

Schifano

Catalani

Sharif

et al. 2022

Drugs

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Donepezil is an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase used to enhance cortical acetylcholine for the cure of AD (74). It is synthesized by an aldol condensation/dehydration reaction between the piperidine and the indanone moieties (75).…”

Section: Synthetic Fda-approved Drugsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Approaches for the Management of Alzheimer's Disease: Natural Compounds, FDA Approved Drugs, and Nanotechnology Interventions

Azhar¹,

Azhar²,

Azhar³

2022

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand)

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Alzheimer's disease is the most common in the elderly population. Due to its irreversible and progressive nature, it gained more attention for early management. In this regard, several new therapeutic targets, such as degrading neurotransmitter enzymes, amyloid cascade enzymes, and monoamine oxidases, have been explored. Inhibition of these targets with natural and synthetic compounds and dietary supplements has been traditionally exercised for decades in the etiology of AD. Secondary metabolites obtained from natural resources are in the trend to use against these targets. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief introduction to AD along with the related concept of several therapeutic compounds involved in the progression of the disease and its management using different natural compounds against selected targets.

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Pharmacological cognitive enhancers

Cited by 2 publications

References 161 publications

Benefits and Harms of ‘Smart Drugs’ (Nootropics) in Healthy Individuals

Benefits and Harms of ‘Smart Drugs’ (Nootropics) in Healthy Individuals

Multiple Approaches for the Management of Alzheimer's Disease: Natural Compounds, FDA Approved Drugs, and Nanotechnology Interventions

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