Prescribing nootropics. What are the best brain nutrition nootropics? What drugs can a doctor prescribe

Nootropics or neurometabolic stimulants are medicinal substances that improve the mental and mental activity of the brain. Nootropic drugs directly affect the higher state, and also protect the central nervous system from various negative factors and everyday phenomena. In this article, we will take a closer look at what nootropics are, how they affect processes in the human body, how this can affect.

Description and mechanism of action of the group

The first developments and scientific studies of nootropic substances that could improve the psycho-emotional component of the human began at the dawn of the 60s of the twentieth century.

Since then, many neurometabolic stimulants have been developed that can improve brain function by stimulating blood microcirculation. Moreover, such stimulants protect the brain from all kinds of harmful external influences, including.

Did you know?Corneliu Giurgea is a Romanian psychologist and chemist who is considered the inventor of nootropics. In 1964, he isolated neurotransmitter substances from the Piracetam cocktail.

To date, there are two main groups of nootropics: true and neuroprotective. The substances that make up the first group contribute to the activation of the mnestic function of the brain, and no longer affect the psycho-emotional component in any way.
While neuroprotectors are able to have a complex effect on the mental system. The effect of neurometabolic stimulants can be both primary (the substance binds directly to the neuron and interacts with it) and secondary (has antihypoxic and antiplatelet effects).

Physicians and scientists refer to nootropics with many different terms: neuroanabolic, neuroregulatory, neurodynamic, or eutotrophic.

The mechanism of action of such funds is complex, it is divided into several components.:

• The components of neuroregulatory substances contribute to the acceleration of the synthesis of proteins and RNA, which activate the activity of the central, in particular, its plastic component.
• Antioxidant and antihypoxic effects make it possible to enhance the processes of ATP synthesis, and this directly affects the energy component of the state of neurons.
• Neuroprotectors are the main utilizers of glucose.
• Synaptic transformation of impulses in the central nervous system increases significantly under the influence of nootropics.
• Stabilization of the functionality of the CNS membranes.

Moreover, nootropics are able to interact with neurotransmitters, substances that are responsible for the frequency and speed of impulses that transmit information to the central nervous system. The direct effect of neurometabolic stimulants on adenylate cyclase promotes the release of seratonin from sensory neurons.

Also, this effect helps the production of ATP in brain cells without the participation of oxygen, and this contributes to the normal functioning of the central nervous system in conditions of hypoxia (lack of oxygen).

Classification by chemical composition

According to the chemical composition, nootropics are classified as follows::

• derivatives of dimethylaminoethanol;
• pyrrolidone derivatives;
• pyridoxine derivatives;
• derivatives of diaphenyllyrrolidone;
• analogs of neuropeptides and the neuropeptide itself;
• analogues and derivatives of gamma-aminobutyric acid;
• 2-mercantobenzimidazole derivatives;
• amino acids and analogues that have a stimulating effect on the amino acid system of the central nervous system;
• organic composites and polypeptides;
• funds based on vitamin complexes;
• other nootropic substances (psychostimulants, neuromodulators, adaptogens, antihypoxants, etc.).

Indications for use

At first, any classes of neurometabolic stimulants were used only in the fight against mental impairment in age.

A little later, when various world laboratories began to speak out about their supposedly proven effectiveness of nootropics, they began to be used in narcology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and neurology.
To date, a doctor can prescribe a therapeutic course of treatment with such chemicals in cases of the following diseases:

• Alzheimer's disease and or senile dementia;
• neuroinfection, intoxication;
• neurosis-like or neurotic disorder;
• psychoorganic syndrome;
• vegetovascular dystonia;
• craniocerebral and impaired blood circulation in the brain;
• cerebrovascular insufficiency of a chronic type;
• chronic (withdrawal, encephalopathy);
• syndromes and intellectual-mnestic disorders.

Popular drugs

To date, there are many nootropic drugs, in particular the new generation, which are derivatives of various chemicals, they have different effects on the central nervous system.
We provide a list of nootropics that are best taken for various clinical indications below, but which will be most effective for you should be decided by your healthcare provider.

Piracetam (Nootropil)

This drug refers to chemically active substances, the effect on the human body of which has not been fully proven.
"Nootropil" is a prominent representative of the group of neurostimulating substances, which, according to manufacturers, is able to improve brain activity, promote the synthesis of ribonucleic acid, and improve cerebral microcirculation of red blood cells.

On the territory of our country, this drug is often used for Alzheimer's disease and various diseases of the central nervous system.
Many medical professionals around the world believe that "Piracetam", except for the "Placebo effect", has no effect, but recent clinical studies have confirmed the fact that this drug helps to reduce platelet aggregation, thereby improving blood microcirculation in the brain.

Pramiracetam

Like the previous substance, it is a neurometabolic stimulant (a derivative of piracetam), but with a more pronounced effect, and therefore is used in lower dosages.
According to manufacturers, it stimulates and. The full effect of the drug has not been proven, therefore Pramiracetam considered to be a homeopathic remedy.

Cavinton (Vinpocetine)

It is a Hungarian neurodynamic drug that has a therapeutic effect on the affected areas of the brain. It improves blood microcirculation in ischemic areas by relaxing smooth muscles.
Since the mid-80s, it has been manufactured synthetically based on vincamine. It is used to treat cerebral (acute) with impaired cerebral blood flow. The effectiveness of "Cavinton" for many decades has often been questioned. At the beginning of the 19th century, the drug was included in the list of biologically active additives (BAA).

It is a pharmaceutical preparation, the main component of which is hopantenic acid, which is involved in many processes of brain activity. This tool shows its greatest effectiveness in the treatment of chronic intoxication, as well as during periods of increased risk of hypoxia.
"Pantogam" stimulates various functional actions in the system of neurons and helps to accelerate the transmission of neuron-neuron signals.

This sedative drug is included in the list of the best nootropics of the latest generation, the effect of which is to a large extent proven. Clinical studies have shown that Pantogam is able to improve the mental activity of adolescents who have speech and writing disorders.

Domestic tableted nootropic drug, which is used in the medical practice of Russia (in other countries of the world it has not found its application).

Included in the list of the most important medicines. Widely used as a neuroprotective, antihypoxic and psychostimulant agent.
Employees of medical institutions often prescribe "Semax" for recovery after ethanol intoxication, inflammation of the nerves in areas near the brain, and chronic disorders of cerebral blood flow.

In addition, this drug has been used in pediatrics for more than a dozen years, where its effectiveness and safety has been repeatedly proven.

"Semax" is not addictive and "withdrawal" syndrome. Moreover, it easily overcomes the blood-brain barrier and stabilizes all brain processes.

It is a neurometabolic stimulant that has a stimulating, anticonvulsant and antitoxic effect. In 2007, Phenotropil was recognized as an obsolete drug, the frequency of its use for therapeutic purposes has sharply decreased.
Moreover, this drug was recognized as one of those nootropics, the effectiveness of which has not been proven. However, "Phenotropil" has found its application in the world, where it is actively used as a doping, some global companies even produce the active substance "Phenotropil" under a different name.

Nootropic agent, a derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid. It is a domestic drug, which was included in the list of important medicines in the mid-70s.
The developers talked about what would lower the level of stress and stabilize too high levels of CNS activity. Almost all tablets based on gamma-aminobutyric acid are able to calm and improve sleep, in addition, they enhance the effect of sleeping pills and narcotic drugs.

Important!"Phenibut" with prolonged use can be addictive.

With stuttering, chronic stress, Meniere's disease. Phenibut can be shown as a medicine. The main substance of Phenibut directly affects neurons and reduces their activity, which helps to calm and.
In high doses, it exhibits an analgesic effect. For children under 10 years old and people who constantly use drugs and alcohol, Phenibut is contraindicated.

This pharmacy drug belongs to nootropic drugs, the derivatives of which are simple amino acids. developed on the basis of aminoacetic acid, it has a calming, sedative, anti-stress and hypnotic effect.
Moreover, according to the manufacturers, "Glycine" helps to improve memory and protect the central nervous system from various unpleasant external stimuli (the consequences of intoxication with drug addiction and alcoholism).

And "Glycine" is one of the few drugs that can reduce and stimulate the production of serotonin (which makes people happy).

Side effects and contraindications

Side effects from the use of neurometabolic stimulants may occur from the side of the psychological component. Often such effects occur with overdoses or prolonged use of drugs.
Patients may experience hyperactivity of the CNS processes, which manifests itself in the form of increased, impaired. in 5% of cases causes side effects with increasing dosages.

Cancellation of the drug entails the disappearance of any side effects. In addition, "Piracetam" and "Acephen" should not be used as sedatives and mild sleeping pills, as they stimulate the central nervous system.

Did you know?Every fourth Harvard student takes nootropics, although these substances are not medicinal substances in their country (medics say that they are practically ineffective).

From the side of the neuralgic component, tendon reflexes, tremor, dizziness may occur. From the side of the somatic system, there are also a number of unpleasant side effects.

Sometimes there may be a loss of taste, dry mouth. Elderly people complain of high blood pressure and dizziness with long-term use of nootropics.
In addition, improper and uncontrolled intake of neurometabolic stimulants can cause various types. "Pyriditol" can complicate the course of the disease in people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Also, nootropics are prohibited for use by people who have had a hemorrhagic stroke and those who suffer from a hereditary disease of the central nervous system - Hettington's chorea.

Who Prescribes Nootropics?

Nootropics have a wide range of applications in the medical practice of our country. In almost all other countries of the world, homeopathic medicines have long since faded into the background. However, our doctors prescribe nootropics for a variety of diseases, as we have already talked about.
For example, the drug "Fenibut" can be prescribed even by a cardiologist. The whole point is that patients with vegetovascular dystonia, for the most part, first of all turn to a cardiologist because of jumps in blood pressure and a constant “feeling” of rhythm.

And since VVD is not serious, which can lead to unpleasant consequences, the cardiologist often prescribes various homeopathic medicines, among which there are nootropics.

Important!Some nootropic substances in high dosages can cause drug intoxication.

But to a greater extent, nootropic drugs are prescribed by psychiatrists, neurologists and pediatricians. In addition, toxicologists and narcologists can also prescribe nootropics with caution.

It can be concluded that the safety of the use of nootropics is quite high, but the effectiveness has not been fully proven. Therefore, it is up to you to decide whether to take such drugs or not.

The term "nootropics" appeared in 1972, this word consists of two Greek "noos" - mind and "tropos" - change. It turns out that nootropics are designed to change the human mind, with the help of biochemistry, affecting the central nervous system.

Their predecessors in improving the functioning of the brain were psychostimulants, which had a strong, but short-term effect on a person. They increased the body's endurance, resistance to stress, caused general excitement, activity and euphoria. If not for the strongest negative side effects and the emergence of addiction, psychostimulants would have conquered humanity. But the aftereffect in the form of severe depression and a complete breakdown of strength oppressed a person so much that he could even drive him to suicide.

Synthetic nootropics

After taking nootropics, there are practically no negative effects, they are not addictive. But they also do not have psychostimulants. To feel the result of taking nootropics, you need to take a course lasting 1-3 months.

The action of nootropic drugs is due to the improvement and acceleration of metabolism in nerve tissues, the protection of neurons in the event of a lack of oxygen and toxic effects. In fact, nootropics protect the brain from aging. There are a lot of nootropics on the market right now, but here are some of the more common ones:

Piracetam (Nootropil) is the first of the nootropics. It is prescribed for disorders of attention and memory, nervous disorders, brain injuries, alcoholism and vascular diseases. It can also be used independently (without exceeding the dose) for better perception and assimilation of the training material. The following side effects were rarely noted: drowsiness or agitation, dizziness and nausea, increased sexual activity. The analogue of "Piracetam" ("Nootropil") is "Phenotropil" ("Phenylpiracetam").

"Acephen" ("Cerutil", "Meclofenoksat", "Centrofenoksin") contains the substance of acetylcholine - a transmitter of nervous excitation, an indispensable participant in the work of the human NS. This series of nootropic drugs accelerates all processes of excitation and inhibition, improves blood supply to the brain, and has a psychostimulating effect. It also protects the brain from aging and is used in conjunction with Piracetam to improve mental abilities. There were side effects from the side of the National Assembly: anxiety, insomnia, increased appetite.

"Selegiline" ("Deprenyl", "Yumex") contains the substance selegiline, which suppresses the action of enzymes that inhibit phenethylamine and dopamine. After 40 years of pleasure enzymes of the dopamine series, much less is produced than in youth. "Selegilin" is positioned as for people of middle and old age. It is used in the treatment of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. With a sufficiently long-term use of the drug, memory, mood and general well-being improve. "Selegiline", according to medical scientists, when taken at 5 mg per day, can increase a person's life expectancy by 15 years!

Nowadays, new generation nootropic drugs are used to stimulate the brain and protect nervous reactions, the list of which is so impressive that it takes several pages. Basically, these are complex remedies consisting directly of a nootropic component and auxiliary substances that improve the nutrition of nerve cells - amino acids, vitamins,.

How do new nootropics differ from old ones?

People have been using nootropics for a long time and don't even know it. For example, the simplest nootropic - choline - is found in eggs, meat, fish and seafood. By eating food rich in animal protein, we stimulate the production of the hormone serotonin, which is not only responsible for the feeling of pleasure, but also has a beneficial effect on neural connections. The brain begins to work more actively, memory and thought processes improve. The simplest nootropics also include coffee, green tea, nicotine, amphetamines. These are the so-called stimulants of brain activity. The well-known vitamin B6 and Glycine tablets also belong to this type of remedy, they improve metabolic processes in the spinal cord and brain.

In the middle of the 20th century, there was a strong leap forward in the field of studying the work of the brain. The following types of nootropic drugs have been developed, studied and classified:

• reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitors;
• vasodilators and metabolic enhancers;
• stimulants;
• racetams.

There is another classification based on the origin of the main active substance and its functions, but it is quite complex and confusing, and therefore only of interest to physicians. In addition, racetams are mainly used in therapy today. This is the basis of new generation nootropic drugs. Racetams are chemical structures derived from pyrrolidine. Here is a short list of the most popular drugs in this category:

• Piracetam;
• Oxiracetam;
• Etiracetam;
• Aniracetam;
• Pramiracetam;
• Nebracetam;
• Nefiracetam;
• Isacetam;
• detiracetam;
• Dipracetam and others.

Unlike natural stimulants, these drugs have a very precise effect on certain areas of the brain, which allows them to be used not only to improve memory and intelligence, but also in the treatment of strokes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. These are the most effective nootropic drugs.

Latest Nootropics

Since the latest products are combined, they combine new generation racetams and excipients. Such modern nootropic drugs are very popular, such as:

• Diapiram;
• Orocetam;
• Yukamen;
• Thiocetam;
• Apik;
• Binotropil.

Most often, patients who have had a stroke are prescribed Phezam. This medicine is a combination of piracetam and cinnarizine. This antihistamine improves blood circulation in the brain and strengthens the walls of even the smallest blood vessels. Many consider it the best nootropic drug. We agree with this statement, but we want to note that other means have shown themselves very well. In addition, almost all nootropic drugs have few contraindications and side effects, which greatly facilitates the appointment and use.

It is better for elderly patients to give preference to the latest combination drugs. But young people seeking to improve brain function can buy any racetam and supplement it with regular exercise and proper nutrition. The effect will be no worse, since the body reacts to moderate physical activity with the release of serotonin and other hormones that have a beneficial effect on neural connections and the nervous system as a whole.

The modern rhythm of life is easily unsettling. Large loads at work, study negatively affect the state of the nervous system. To improve performance, there are special drugs that stimulate the human body and increase productivity. Nootropic drugs have been created for people who have had traumatic brain injury and stroke. But, often, they are prescribed to healthy people to improve brain function and relieve stress on the nervous system. We have compiled a rating of the best new generation nootropics that deserve respect and trust. .

The best nootropic drugs without additional effects

Nootropil is the best new generation nootropic drug, which is most often prescribed to patients experiencing memory problems. It stimulates certain parts of the brain and improves its activity. Nootropil is sold both in tablets and in solution for intravenous administration. Doctors recommend the use of a nootropic drug, not only for medical reasons, but also as a preventive measure, especially in those moments when the level of stress is very high. It does not dilate blood vessels, which is very good for teenagers and students who plan to improve brain activity during exams.

Pros:

• Can be used for increased mental stress. For example, during exams, when stress and brain activity have the maximum effect on the nervous system;
• Protects brain cells from hypoxia;
• Can be given to students
• Reduces stress levels, increases concentration and attention levels.

Minuses:

• Do not apply to people with renal insufficiency and after a cerebral hemorrhage;
• Improvements begin to be felt only after two weeks of use.

Speaking in official language, Cavinton (Vinpocetine) is in the category of drugs that improve blood circulation in the brain. But in terms of its chemical composition, it is also one of the best new generation nootropics. The medicine can be used for a wide range of diseases, as well as in preventive measures to increase brain activity.

Pros:

• Reduces stress levels and improves brain activity;
• Can be used to improve concentration:
• Sold in tablets and liquid form.

Minuses:

• For older people with heart rhythm disturbances, it is not recommended.

Pantogam is the best new generation nootropic drug developed on the basis of herbs. It has a positive effect on brain activity, improves thought processes and allows you to concentrate. The manufacturer claims that Pantogam is suitable even for children, especially schoolchildren during the exams. Doctors also recommend this nootropic for people who are under stress and at the level of nervous exhaustion.

Pros:

• Effective drug;
• Suitable for children;
• Based on herbs.

Minuses:

• Do not use for kidney problems, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

The best new generation nootropic Semax will appeal to buyers who do not like to swallow pills, and even more so, inject the drug intravenously. It is instilled into the nose and acts on proteins that interact with the nervous system. The drug begins to act immediately, immediately after the introduction, an improvement in concentration is felt and the level of stress decreases. Semax is the best nootropic drug developed according to the most modern requirements.

Pros:

• Convenient input method;
• Effective for 24 hours after a single injection.

Minuses:

• Do not use during pregnancy and lactation, and also not recommended for people suffering from acute psychosis.

Nootropics (gr. noos- thinking, mind; tropos- direction) - means that have a specific positive effect on the higher integrative functions of the brain. They improve mental activity, stimulate cognitive functions, learning and memory, increase the resistance of the brain to various damaging factors, incl. to extreme loads and hypoxia. In addition, nootropics have the ability to reduce neurological deficits and improve corticosubcortical connections.

The concept of nootropics originated in 1963, when the Belgian pharmacologists S. Giurgea and V. Skondia synthesized and applied in the clinic the first drug of this group - piracetam. Subsequent studies have shown that piracetam facilitates learning processes and improves memory. Like psychostimulants, the drug increased mental performance, but did not have the side effects inherent in them. In 1972, K. Giurgea proposed the term "nootropics" to refer to a class of drugs that positively affect the higher integrative functions of the brain.

There is a group of "true" nootropic drugs, for which the ability to improve mnestic functions is the main, and sometimes the only effect, and a group of nootropic drugs of mixed action ("neuroprotectors"), in which the mnestic effect is supplemented, and often overlapped by other, no less significant manifestations of action. A number of substances belonging to the group of nootropics have a fairly wide range of pharmacological activity, including antihypoxic, anxiolytic, sedative, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant and other effects.

The nootropic effect of the drug can be both primary (direct effect on the nerve cell) and secondary, due to improved cerebral blood flow and microcirculation, antiplatelet and antihypoxic effects.

To designate substances of this group, there are a number of synonyms: neurodynamic, neuroregulatory, neuroanabolic or eutotrophic agents, neurometabolic cerebroprotectors, neurometabolic stimulants. These terms reflect the general property of drugs - the ability to stimulate metabolic processes in the nervous tissue, especially in various disorders (anoxia, ischemia, intoxication, trauma, etc.), returning them to a normal level.

After the successful introduction of piracetam into medical practice, more than 10 original nootropic drugs of the pyrrolidine series have been synthesized, currently in phase III clinical trials or already registered in a number of countries: oxiracetam, aniracetam, etiracetam, pramiracetam, dupracetam, rolziracetam, cebracetam, nefiracetam, isacetam , detiracetam, etc. These nootropic drugs, based on their chemical structure, are called "racetams". Following them, other groups of nootropic drugs began to form, including cholinergic, GABAergic, glutamatergic, peptidergic; in addition, nootropic activity has been identified in some previously known substances.

Existing nootropic drugs can be classified as follows:

1. Pyrrolidine derivatives (racetam): piracetam, etiracetam, aniracetam, oxiracetam, pramiracetam, dupracetam, rolziracetam, etc.

2. Derivatives of dimethylaminoethanol (precursors of acetylcholine): deanol aceglumate, meclofenoxate.

3. Pyridoxine derivatives: pyritinol, Biotredin.

4. Derivatives and analogues of GABA: gamma-aminobutyric acid (Aminalon), nicotinoyl-GABA (Pikamilon), gamma-amino-beta-phenylbutyric acid hydrochloride (Fenibut), hopantenic acid, pantogam, calcium gamma-hydroxybutyrate (Neurobutal).

5. Cerebrovascular agents: ginkgo biloba.

6. Neuropeptides and their analogues: Semax.

7. Amino acids and substances that affect the system of excitatory amino acids: glycine, Biotredin.

8. Derivatives of 2-mercantobenzimidazole: ethylthiobenzimidazole hydrobromide (Bemitil).

9. Vitamin-like agents: idebenone.

10. Polypeptides and organic composites: Cortexin, Cerebrolysin, Cerebramin.

11. Substances of other pharmacological groups with a component of nootropic action:

Correctors of cerebral circulation disorders: nicergoline, vinpocetine, xanthinol nicotinate, vincamine, naftidrofuryl, cinnarizine;

General tonic and adaptogens: acetylaminosuccinic acid, ginseng extract, melatonin, lecithin.

Psychostimulants: salbutiamine;

Antihypoxants and antioxidants: hydroxymethylethylpyridine succinate (Mexidol).

Signs of nootropic activity are present in the pharmacodynamics of glutamic acid, memantine and levocarnitine.

In addition, the experiment showed the nootropic effect of a number of neuropeptides and their synthetic analogues (ACTH and its fragments, somatostatin, vasopressin, oxytocin, thyroliberin, melanostatin, cholecystokinin, neuropeptide Y, substance P, angiotensin II, cholecystokinin-8, peptide analogues of piracetam, etc. .).

Currently, the main mechanisms of action of nootropic drugs are considered to be the influence on metabolic and bioenergetic processes in the nerve cell and interaction with the neurotransmitter systems of the brain. Neurometabolic stimulants improve penetration through the BBB and utilization of glucose (especially in the cerebral cortex, subcortical ganglia, hypothalamus and cerebellum), improve the exchange of nucleic acids, activate the synthesis of ATP, protein and RNA. The effect of a number of nootropic drugs is mediated through the neurotransmitter systems of the brain, among which the most important are: monoaminergic (piracetam causes an increase in the content of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, some other nootropics - serotonin), cholinergic (piracetam and meclofenoxate increase the content of acetylcholine in synaptic endings and the density of cholinergic receptors, choline alfoscerate, pyridoxine and pyrrolidine derivatives improve cholinergic transmission to the CNS), glutamatergic (memantine and glycine act through the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subtype).

As a result of clinical studies and experiments on animals, a number of additional mechanisms have also been identified that contribute to the nootropic activity of neurometabolic stimulants. Nootropics have membrane-stabilizing (regulation of the synthesis of phospholipids and proteins in nerve cells, stabilization and normalization of the structure of cell membranes), antioxidant (inhibition of the formation of free radicals and lipid peroxidation of cell membranes), antihypoxic (reducing the need for neurons in oxygen under hypoxic conditions) and neuroprotective action ( increasing the resistance of nerve cells to the effects of adverse factors of various origins). An important role is played by the improvement of microcirculation in the brain by optimizing the passage of erythrocytes through the vessels of the microvasculature and inhibition of platelet aggregation.

The result of the complex effect of nootropic drugs is an improvement in the bioelectrical activity and integrative activity of the brain, which is manifested by characteristic changes in electrophysiological patterns (facilitation of the passage of information between the hemispheres, an increase in the level of wakefulness, an increase in the absolute and relative power of the EEG spectrum of the cortex and hippocampus, an increase in the dominant peak). An increase in corticosubcortical control, an improvement in information exchange in the brain, a positive effect on the formation and reproduction of a memory trace lead to an improvement in memory, perception, attention, thinking, an increase in learning ability, and activation of intellectual functions. The ability to improve cognitive (cognitive) functions gave reason to designate nootropic drugs as “cognition stimulants”.

In the spectrum of pharmacological activity of nootropics (neurometabolic stimulants), the following main effects are distinguished:

1. Nootropic action (influence on impaired higher cortical functions, level of judgment and critical abilities, improvement of cortical control of subcortical activity, thinking, attention, speech).

2. Mnemotropic action (impact on memory, learning).

3. Increasing the level of wakefulness, clarity of consciousness (influence on the state of oppressed and clouded consciousness).

4. Adaptogenic action (increasing the overall resistance of the organism to the action of extreme factors).

5. Anti-asthenic action (decrease in the severity of weakness, lethargy, exhaustion, phenomena of mental and physical asthenia).

6. Psychostimulating effect (influence on apathy, hypobulia, aspontaneity, poverty of motives, mental inertia, psychomotor retardation).

7. Antidepressant action.

8. Sedative / tranquilizing effect, reduction of irritability and emotional excitability.

In addition, nootropics affect the autonomic nervous system, contribute to the correction of disorders in parkinsonism and epilepsy.

Of the above pharmacodynamic properties, some are common to all nootropics, while others are unique to some of them.

The stimulating effect of nootropics on mental activity is not accompanied by speech and motor excitement, depletion of the body's functional capabilities, the development of addiction and addiction. However, in some cases, they can cause anxiety and sleep disturbance. A positive feature of nootropics is their low toxicity, good compatibility with drugs of other pharmacological groups and the virtual absence of side effects and complications. It should be noted that the effects of this group develop gradually (as a rule, after several weeks of administration), which makes it necessary to prescribe them for a long time.

Initially, nootropics were used mainly in the treatment of brain dysfunction in elderly patients with organic brain syndrome. In recent years, they have been widely used in various fields of medicine, including geriatric, obstetric and pediatric practice, neurology, psychiatry and narcology.

Nootropic drugs are used for dementia of various origins (vascular, senile, Alzheimer's disease), chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency, psychoorganic syndrome, consequences of cerebrovascular accident, traumatic brain injury, intoxication, neuroinfection, intellectual-mnestic disorders (impaired memory, concentration, thinking ), asthenic, astheno-depressive and depressive syndrome, neurotic and neurosis-like disorder, vegetovascular dystonia, chronic alcoholism (encephalopathy, psychoorganic syndrome, abstinence), to improve mental performance. In children's practice, indications for the appointment of nootropics are mental and speech developmental delay, mental retardation, the consequences of perinatal CNS damage, cerebral palsy, attention deficit disorder. In acute conditions in the neurological clinic (acute ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury), the effectiveness of piracetam, choline alfoscerate, glycine, Cerebrolysin has been shown. Some nootropics are used to correct neuroleptic syndrome (deanol aceglumate, pyritinol, pantogam, hopantenic acid), stuttering (Fenibut, pantogam), hyperkinesis (Fenibut, hopantenic acid, memantine), urination disorders (nicotinoyl-GABA, pantogam), sleep disorders (glycine , Phenibut, calcium gamma-hydroxybutyrate), migraines (nicotinoyl-GABA, pyritinol, Semax), dizziness (piracetam, Phenibut, ginkgo biloba), for the prevention of motion sickness (Phenibut, GABA). In ophthalmology (as part of complex therapy), nicotinoyl-GABA is used (open-angle glaucoma, vascular diseases of the retina and macula), ginkgo biloba (senile macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy).

The last decade of the 20th century was marked by a high rate of research activity related to the search and study of the mechanism of action of new and existing nootropic drugs. Until now, the search continues for a basic hypothesis of the action of nootropics, capable of integrating already known aspects of the mechanism of action of nootropic drugs and determining their future fate. Relevant is the search for new drugs that would have greater pharmacological activity and would have a selective effect on the integrative functions of the brain, correcting the psychopathological state of the patient, his mental activity and orientation in everyday life.

Preparations

Preparations - 3733 ; Trade names - 152 ; Active ingredients - 26