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Piracetam: Difference between revisions
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Piracetam tends to share structural similarity to the neurotransmitter [[GABA]], as it is a cyclical derivative; as such, it retains two nitrogens in its structure with one amine bearing the two-carbon side chain that has the other nitrogen within it. | Piracetam tends to share structural similarity to the neurotransmitter [[GABA]], as it is a cyclical derivative; as such, it retains two nitrogens in its structure with one amine bearing the two-carbon side chain that has the other nitrogen within it. | ||
==Pharmacology== | ==Pharmacology== | ||
Piracetam's mechanism of action, as with racetams in general, is not fully understood. The drug influences neuronal and vascular functions and influences cognitive function without acting as a sedative or stimulant.<ref>Piracetam: a review of pharmacological properties and clinical uses (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16007238</ref> Piracetam is a positive allosteric modulator of the AMPA receptor.<ref>Piracetam defines a new binding site for allosteric modulators of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20163115</ref> It is hypothesized to act on ion channels or ion carriers, thus leading to increased neuron excitability.<ref>Piracetam and other structurally related nootropics (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8061686</ref> [[GABA]] brain metabolism and GABA receptors are not affected by piracetam.<ref>http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ddr.430020505/abstract;jsessionid=B9BF0E3214F13C8DD3692A776A0A5B78.f02t01</ref> | Piracetam's mechanism of action, as with racetams in general, is not fully understood. The drug influences neuronal and vascular functions and influences cognitive function without acting as a [[sedative]] or [[stimulant]].<ref>Piracetam: a review of pharmacological properties and clinical uses (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16007238</ref> Piracetam is a positive allosteric modulator of the AMPA receptor.<ref>Piracetam defines a new binding site for allosteric modulators of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20163115</ref> It is hypothesized to act on ion channels or ion carriers, thus leading to increased neuron excitability.<ref>Piracetam and other structurally related nootropics (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8061686</ref> [[GABA]] brain metabolism and GABA receptors are not affected by piracetam.<ref>http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ddr.430020505/abstract;jsessionid=B9BF0E3214F13C8DD3692A776A0A5B78.f02t01</ref> | ||
AMong other things, it has also been found to increase blood flow and oxygen consumption in parts of the brain, but this may be a side effect of increased brain activity rather than a primary effect or mechanism of action for the drug.<ref>Cerebral blood flow effects of piracetam, pentifylline, and nicotinic acid in the baboon model compared with the known effect of acetazolamide (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8876930</ref> Piracetam also improves the function of the neurotransmitter [[acetylcholine]] via muscarinic cholinergic (ACh) receptors, which are implicated in memory processes.<ref>Piracetam--an old drug with novel properties? (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16459490</ref> | AMong other things, it has also been found to increase blood flow and oxygen consumption in parts of the brain, but this may be a side effect of increased brain activity rather than a primary effect or mechanism of action for the drug.<ref>Cerebral blood flow effects of piracetam, pentifylline, and nicotinic acid in the baboon model compared with the known effect of acetazolamide (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8876930</ref> Piracetam also improves the function of the neurotransmitter [[acetylcholine]] via muscarinic cholinergic (ACh) receptors, which are implicated in memory processes.<ref>Piracetam--an old drug with novel properties? (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16459490</ref> | ||