Noopept Research Summary

Noopept, a synthetic nootropic and neuroprotective drug, is found to be substantially more potent than its counterpart, piracetam. Its effective dose is 1000 times lower than piracetam, and it enhances not only early stages of memory formation but also memory consolidation and retrieval, along with exhibiting anxiolytic effects.

Neuroprotective Properties

Noopept shows strong neuroprotection both in vivo and in vitro, with properties including antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects, inhibition of excess calcium and glutamate neurotoxicity, and improved blood flow.

Clinical Applications

It is effectively absorbed when administered orally or parenterally, leading to the development of oral tablets. These are currently in clinical trials for cognitive impairments related to cerebrovascular issues and brain injuries.

Alzheimer's Disease Model Study

In a cellular model of Alzheimer's disease, Noopept protected against amyloid-beta toxicity by reducing oxidative damage, calcium overload, and inhibiting mitochondrial apoptotic pathways. It also decreased tau hyperphosphorylation and restored cell morphology.

Transcription Factors and Mechanism of Action

Noopept can increase the DNA-binding activity of the transcription factor HIF-1 in HEK293 cells, potentially explaining its broad neurochemical and pharmacological effects.

Neuropsychotropic Dipeptide Drug Design

Researchers used a synthetic approach to develop potent dipeptides, including Noopept, which is in phase 2 clinical trials in the US and Russia. Another compound, dilept, is undergoing preclinical trials.

Effects on Cerebral Ischemia and Stroke

Noopept was shown to reduce neurological disorders and increase survival rates in rats with cerebral ischemia. It also reduced infarct size in rats after ischemic stroke, indicating its potential as a neuroprotective treatment.

Alzheimer's Disease-Like Symptoms in Mice

Noopept restored spatial memory and increased serum antibody levels to Abeta peptide oligomers in mice with Alzheimer's-like symptoms, suggesting a reduction in neurotoxicity associated with amyloid fibrillization.

Protection Against DNA Damage in Prediabetes

Noopept demonstrated a protective effect against DNA damage in mice with induced prediabetes, suggesting potential protection for pancreatic β cells.

Stroke-Induced Mild Cognitive Impairment

A study with stroke patients revealed that Noopept treatment for two months significantly improved cognitive functions.

Nootropic Misuse and Psychiatric Side Effects

The paper addressed the psychiatric risks associated with unregulated nootropic use, highlighting cases of psychiatric side effects from nootropics misuse.

Impact on Neurotrophic Factors

Noopept increases the expression of NGF and BDNF mRNA in the rat hippocampus, suggesting potential as a preventative treatment for Alzheimer's disease in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Chronic Administration and EEG Effects

Chronic administration of Noopept influenced EEG patterns in rats, with the effects on the alpha and beta frequency ranges reversing after multiple injections, implicating non-NMDA glutamate receptors.

Memory Enhancement in BALB/c Mice

Noopept counteracted the memory-impairing effects of scopolamine in BALB/c mice, enhancing memory retrieval and underscoring its potential as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

References:

1. [The original novel nootropic and neuroprotective agent noopept]
2. Neuroprotective effect of novel cognitive enhancer noopept on AD-related cellular model involves the attenuation of apoptosis and tau hyperphosphorylation
3. Molecular Mechanism Underlying the Action of Substituted Pro-Gly Dipeptide Noopept
4. [Design of the novel dipeptide neuropsychotropic drug preparations]
5. Noopept reduces the postischemic functional and metabolic disorders in the brain of rats with different sensitivity to hypoxia
6. [Neuroprotective activity of the proline-containing dipeptide noopept on the model of brain ischemia induced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion]
7. The nootropic and neuroprotective proline-containing dipeptide noopept restores spatial memory and increases immunoreactivity to amyloid in an Alzheimer's disease model
8. Neuroprotective Dipeptide Noopept Prevents DNA Damage in Mice with Modeled Prediabetes
9. [Noopept in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment in patients with stroke]
10. [A comparative study of noopept and piracetam in the treatment of mild and moderate cognitive impairment in patients with organic brain diseases of vascular and traumatic origin]
11. Probable Nootropicinduced Psychiatric Adverse Effects: A Series of Four Cases
12. Noopept stimulates the expression of NGF and BDNF in rat hippocampus
13. [The role of non-NMDA glutamate receptors in the EEG effects of chronic administration of noopept GVS-111 in awake rats]
14. Dipeptide preparation Noopept prevents scopolamine-induced deficit of spatial memory in BALB/c mice