Nootropics: effects on brain plasticity and cognitive functions
https://doi.org/10.33667/2782-4101-2025-3-13-18
Abstract
Nootropics represent a heterogeneous group of substances that affect cognitive functions primarily through modulation of neuroplasticity. Classic agents improve neuronal metabolism and, in experimental models, increase neurotrophin levels, but their clinical efficacy in dementia and other cognitive disorders remains moderate. Psychostimulants provide short-term improvement in attention and performance; however, they do not strengthen long-term plasticity and may adversely affect the developing brain. Herbal and nutraceutical agents exert mild and delayed effects, predominantly manifesting in individuals with mild cognitive complaints or deficits. Despite growing interest in pharmacological cognitive enhancement, convincing evidence of a clinically meaningful improvement in cognitive functions in healthy individuals is lacking, whereas the strongest effects on neuroplasticity continue to be demonstrated by non-pharmacological interventions.
About the Authors
S. M. Gasanova
Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Pirogov University)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Gasanova Sakinat Mirzaevna
Moscow
A. D. Sandzhigoriaeva
Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Pirogov University)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Sandzhigoriaeva Aleksandra Dordzhievna
Moscow
S. A. Mikailova
Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Pirogov University)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Mikailova Samira Aminullaevna
Moscow
A. V. Uyutnova
Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Pirogov University)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Uyutnova Anna Vladimirovna
Moscow
R. F. Safina
Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Pirogov University)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Safina Renata Faritovna
Moscow
References
1. Giurgea C. The “nootropic” approach to the pharmacology of the integrative activity of the brain. Conditional Reflex. 1973;8(2):108–115. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03000311/.
2. Malík M., Tlustoš P. Nootropics as cognitive enhancers: types, dosage and side effects of smart drugs. Nutrients. 2022;14(16):3367. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163367.
3. Franke AG., Bagusat C., Rust S., et al. Substances used and prevalence rates of pharmacological cognitive enhancement among healthy subjects. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2014;264(Suppl 1): S83–S90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-014-0537-1.
4. Urban KR., Gao WJ. Performance enhancement at the cost of potential brain plasticity: neural ramifications of nootropic drugs in the healthy developing brain. Front Syst Neurosci. 2014;8:38. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsys.2014.00038.
5. Leuner K., Kurz C., Guidetti G., et al. Improved mitochondrial function in brain aging and Alzheimer disease – the new mechanism of action of the old metabolic enhancer piracetam. Front Neurosci. 2010;4:44. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2010.00044.
6. Ostrovskaya R.U., Gudasheva T.A., Zaplina A.P., et al. Noopept stimulates the expression of NGF and BDNF in rat hippocampus. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2008;146(3):334–337. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-008-0297-x.
7. Waegemans T., Wilsher C.R., Danniau A., et al. Clinical efficacy of piracetam in cognitive impairment: a meta-analysis. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2002;13(4):217–224. https://doi.org/10.1159/000057700.
8. Flicker L., Grimley Evans J. Piracetam for dementia or cognitive impairment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001;(2):CD001011. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001011
9. Repantis D., Schlattmann P., Laisney O., et al. Modafinil and methylphenidate for neuroenhancement in healthy individuals: a systematic review. Pharmacol Res. 2010;62(3):187–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2010.04.002.
10. Battleday R.M., Brem A.K. Modafinil for cognitive neuroenhancement in healthy non-sleep-deprived subjects: a systematic review. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2015;25(11):1865–1881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.07.028.
11. Simmons D.A., Rex C.S., Palmer L., et al. Up-regulating BDNF with an ampakine rescues synaptic plasticity and memory in Huntington’s disease knock-in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009;106(12):4906–4911. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0811228106.
12. Qiuju Yuan, Chong-wen Wang, Jun Shi, et al. Effects of Ginkgo biloba on dementia: an overview of systematic reviews. J Ethnopharmacol. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.12.005.
13. Kongkeaw C., Dilokthornsakul P., Thanarangsarit P., et al. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;151(1):528–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.008.
14. Lorca C., Mulet M., Arévalo-Caro C., et al. Plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: a systematic review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2023;63(22):5521–5545. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.2021137.
15. Szućko-Kociuba I., Trzeciak-Ryczek A., Kupnicka P., et al. Neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of Hericium erinaceus. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(21):15960. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242115960.
16. Castrén E., Antila H. Neuronal plasticity and neurotrophic factors in drug responses. Mol Psychiatry. 2017;22:1085–1095. https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2017.61.
17. Colucci L., Bosco M., Rosario Ziello A., et al. Effectiveness of nootropic drugs with cholinergic activity in treatment of cognitive deficit: a review. J Exp Pharmacol. 2012;4:163–172. https://doi.org/10.2147/JEP.S35326.
18. Evans J.G., Flicker L. Piracetam for dementia or cognitive impairment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004 Jan 26. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001011.
19. Repantis D., Bovy L., Ohla K., et al. Cognitive enhancement effects of stimulants: a randomized controlled trial testing methylphenidate, modafinil, and caffeine. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2021;238(2):441–451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-020-05691-w.
20. Pase M.P., Kean J.D. The cognitive-enhancing effects of Bacopa monnieri: a systematic review of randomized, controlled human clinical trials. J Altern Complement Med. 2011. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0367.
Review
For citations:
Gasanova S.M., Sandzhigoriaeva A.D., Mikailova S.A., Uyutnova A.V., Safina R.F. Nootropics: effects on brain plasticity and cognitive functions. International journal of Innovative Medicine. 2025;(3):13-18. https://doi.org/10.33667/2782-4101-2025-3-13-18
Views:
33
Email this article 