Racetam

Racetams are a class of nootropic drugs that share a pyrrolidine nucleus.

Mechanism

The racetams are understood to work by activating glutamate receptors that are colocalized with cholinergic receptors, thus increasing the firing of the latter. The racetams consequently increase memory capacity by nearly the same method as the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Examples

* Piracetam - Water-soluble racetam; The first of the racetams to be discovered (in the mid-1960s)
* Oxiracetam - Water-soluble racetam (2 to 4 times more potent than Piracetam)
* Aniracetam - Fat-soluble racetam (4 to 8 times more potent than Piracetam)
* Pramiracetam - Fat-soluble racetam (8 to 30 times more potent than Piracetam)
* Phenylpiracetam (Carphedon) - Fat-soluble racetam
* Etiracetam
* Levetiracetam - anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy. It is the S- enantiomer of etiracetam.
* Nefiracetam - an antidepressant (M1 acetylcholine receptor agonist)
* Rolziracetam
* Nebracetam
* Fasoracetam
* Coluracetam - may have potential use in prevention and treatment of ischemic retinopathy and retinal and optic nerve injury
* Brivaracetam - anticonvulsant properties
* Seletracetam - anticonvulsant, not expected to be nootropic
* Rolipram - anti-inflammatory, antipsychotic and antidepressant drug that improves long term memory, increases wakefulness and neuroprotection (in rats).

External links

* [http://www.ceri.com/ The Cognitive Enhancement Research Institute]