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Smart Drugs & Nutrients:

How to Improve Your Memory and Increase Your Intelligence Using the Latest Discoveries In Neuroscience

VOLUME 1 in the Smart Drugs Series

by Ward Dean, M.D. & John Morgenthaler
$12.95 - 224 pages, softcover (Out of Stock)

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Section 4: Nootropics: More Doctors Recommend

Piracetam (Nootropil) | Aniracetam | Fipexide | Oxiracetam | Pramiracetam | Pyroglutamate (PCA) | Vinpocetine (Cavinton)

Aniracetam

Human studies have established that aniracetam is a powerful cognitive enhancer. Study participants improved their scores on a number of intelligence and memory tests (Saletu, 1980, 1984).

Aniracetam's chemical structure is similar to that of pira­cetam. Studies comparing the two found that aniracetam is effective in treating a wider range of problems than pira­cetam. Aniracetam is more powerful than piracetam.

In animal experiments, aniracetam has been shown to have a protective effect on the brain. Also, one study of 60 geriatric patients in a nursing home found that aniracetam had a significant "revitalizing" effect (Foltyn, 1983).

The mechanism of action of aniracetam is not known. It does not appear to act directly upon neurotransmitter systems such as GABA, catecholamines, serotonin or acetylcholine (Cumin, 1982).

Hoffmann‑La Roche holds the U.S. patent on aniracetam. The corporation was attempting to gain FDA approval for Aniracetam, but has now assigned the rights to foreign firms. One Hoffmann‑La Roche research department employee said that it is very difficult to meet the FDA's criteria for proving that a drug is effective for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease or senility.

Individuals we know who have experimented with aniracetam have described its effects as being very much like piracetam.

Three nootropic drugs protect mice from the memory disruption effects of electrobrain shock. (Redrawn from Gamzu, 1986.)

Precautions: Aniracetam has been tested in too few human studies to establish precautions. Preliminary findings indicate that, like other nootropics, it has little or no toxicity and few or no side effects.

Dosage: One study found that the maximum cognitive-enhancing effect occurred at 1000mg of aniracetam per day. Use of other smart drugs and nutrients concur­rently will probably greatly reduce the optimum dosage.

Sources: Aniracetam is not approved for distribution in any country as far as we know. If it ever does become commercially available, U.S. doctors may be able to legally pre­scribe it for whatever uses they see fit. Overseas mail-order firms will probably offer aniracetam if it becomes available outside of the U.S. Other names for aniracetam include: Draganon, Ro 13‑5057, and Sarpul.

References:

Cumin, R., Bandle, E.F., Gamzu, E., Haefely, W.E. "Effects of the Novel Compound Ani­racetam (RO13-5057) Upon Impaired Learning and Memory in Rodents." Psychopharmacology. 1982, Vol. 78, pp. 104‑11.

Foltyn, P., Lucker, P.W., Schnitker, J., Wetzelsberger, N. "A Test Model for Cerebrally-Active Drugs as Demonstrated by the Example of the New Substance Aniracetam" Arzneimittelforschung. 1983, 33 (6) pp. 865-7.

Gamzu, E., et al. "Pharmacological Protection Against Memory Retrieval Deficits as a Method of Discover­ing New Therapeutic Agents." Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease: Strategies in Research and Development. Advances in Behavioral Biology, vol. 29, New York, Plenum Press, 1986.

Pelton, R., Pelton, T.C. Mind Food & Smart Pills. New York: Double­day, 1989.

Saletu, B., Grunberger, J., Linzmayer, L. "Quantitative EEG and Psychometric Analy­ses in Assessing CNS‑Activity of RO 13‑5057—a Cerebral Insufficiency Improver." Methods and Findings in Experimental Clinical Pharmacology. 1980, 2 (5) pp. 269‑85.

Saletu, B., Grunberger, J. "The Hypoxia Model in Human Psychopharmacology: Neurophysiological and Psychometric Studies with Aniracetam I.V." Human Neuro­biology. 1984, 3 (3) pp. 171‑81.

Vincent, G., Verderese, A., Gamzu, E. "The Effects of Aniracetam (Ro‑13‑5057) on the Enhancement and Protection of Memory." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1985, Vol. 444, pp. 489‑91.