Brain doping: pharmacological neuro enhancement, smart drugs

Neuro-enhancement – Brain doping

Förstl H.

Source

Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675, München. hans.foerstl@lrz.tu-muenchen.de

Abstract

Cognitive enhancement, the increase in the mental ability by psychoactive substances and other interventions has received a renewed boost through the development of innovative principle. More than 100 drugs are currently being developed, tested or used for cognitive enhancement. Cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, dimebon, ampakines, fluoxetine and other antidepressants, methylphenidate and modafinil are candidates awaiting a larger distribution as cognitive enhancers in healthy individuals, if their advantages can be demonstrated. Beyond more general neuro-ethical reservations regarding neuro-enhancement, future research will need to address the following neuropsychiatric issues: (1) will the benefits of longer term neuro-enhancement outweigh potential disadvantages such as rebound effects and other neurobiological and psychosocial trade-offs? (2) What will be the neuropsychiatric sequelae of a soft coercion towards drug usage at work and for recreational purposes? (3) Will there be new and specific neuropsychiatric diseases due to long-term usage of neuro-enhancers in a larger population? Novel strategies of neuro-enhancement will have to demonstrate their superiority compared with more traditional and well-established interventions such as coffee and cake.

PMID:

19565292

[PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Cognition enhancers between treating and doping the mind

Lanni C, Lenzken SC, Pascale A, Del Vecchio I, Racchi M, Pistoia F, Govoni S.

Source

Department of Experimental and Applied Pharmacology, Centre of Excellence in Applied Biology, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 14, 27100 Pavia, Italy.

Abstract

Memory, attention and creativity represent three different cognitive domains, which are interconnected and contribute the “mental performance” of an individual. Modern neuroscience has investigated some of the neuronal circuits and of the neurotransmitters and molecular events underlying the above-mentioned cognitive functions. Within this renewed reference context, some of the properties of the components of the remedies to increase mental performance have been studied and validated in experimental models and, to date, these substances are named “smart drugs”, “memory enhancing drugs” or “nootropic drugs” (from the Greek root noos for mind and tropein for toward). Recently pharmaceutical industries are increasingly focusing on the research for potential substances in this field: several “smart drugs” are in clinical trials and could be on the market in few years. Furthermore, a quick survey from Internet highlights the presence of a great variety of both approved and non-approved drugs, with some of them addressing to only medical and others to performance-oriented use, opening room to some reflections or speculations from scientific and ethical points of view. In order to point out the effect of nootropic drugs on cognition of healthy people, we reviewed the literature on drug enhancement of various cognitive functions, including memory, attention and creativity. As their simplest, memory is regarded as the ability to remember events or learned material, attention is the cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect while ignoring distracters and creativity could be described as the ability to create products or ideas which are original and which possess a social usefulness. Reports from literature reveal that some medications currently available to patients with memory disorders may also increase performances in healthy people and that drugs designed for psychiatric disorders can also be used to enhance certain mental functions. However, the long-term effects of these drugs are unknown, but their apparent effectiveness allows room to their use and misuse. At variance with these literature data showing scientific, even if poor, evidence of the effect of smart drugs in the field of memory and attention, only indirect information on creativity can be obtained by studies of the effects of diseases and drugs on the artistic productivity of classic painters and famous authors, offering a link to understand the neuronal basis of this cognitive function and a cue to understand how drugs (used to correct the illness) may affect the function. On the basis of these cues, in this review we will discuss some critical aspects of the different cerebral circuits and molecular events regulating memory, attention and creativity in order to outline the neurobiological bases of the effects of “smart drugs” on cognitive functions, and to evaluate their putative pharmaceutical development.

>Treat vertigo, tinnitus and prevent strokes with Cavinton (vinpocetine)

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Cavinton by Richter Gedeon

Vinpocetine is a periwinkle plant extract (Vinca major) that improves brain function. It has been used medicinally in Europe since 1983. Vinpocetine dilates the arteries of the brain, decreases platelate aggregation, and increases erythrocyte flexibility, all of which are beneficial in cerebrovascular disease. By increasing the brain’s utilization of oxygen and oxygen, vinpocetine increases cerebral metabolic rate. Vinpocetine can help prevent stroke and can prevent much of the damage that occurs following stroke if administered immediately following stroke.

Vinpocetine:
· dilates the arteries of the brain but does not dilate other blood vessels.
· can prevent the occurrence of stroke and can prevent much of the damage if administered immediately following stroke.
· improves circulation within the brain (i.e. it alleviates cerebral insufficiency).
· increases Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) within the brain’s neurons.
· improves the brain’s utilization of glucose.
· can alleviate headaches.
· accelerates the rate of learning by 40% (in animal research).
· improves memory. Healthy subjects exhibited significant short-term memory improvement 1 hour after taking 40 mg of Vinpocetine (62%).
· increases the length of time that short-term memory is retained.
· can block the action of drugs that disrupt memory.
· improves the brain’s utilization of Oxygen and increases the resistance of Neurons to the damage that would otherwise be caused by Hypoxia.
· can alleviate speech impairment.
· improves circulation to the eyes thereby improving vision and eyesight disorders.
· improves impaired hearing and improves many inner-ear problems.
· improves Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
· improved the vertigo (dizziness) of 77% of the patients in one study.
· reduces menopausal symptoms.
· increases the brain’s turnover of Serotonin and Norepinephrine.
· improves the flexibility of red blood cells and may thereby help to prevent strokes.
· alleviates insomnia and several types of sleep disorders.