Lec 8 Review Flashcards
Used to enhance memory or other cognitive functions:
Nootropic
To be considered a nootropic, a substance must:
1) enhance memory and ability to learn
2) help the brain function under disruptive conditions
3) protect the brain from physical or chemical assaults
4) possess few or no side effects and virtually be non-toxic
5) increase the efficacy of neuronal firing control
Piracetam is a __________________
positive allosteric modulator of the glutamate AMPA receptor that is colocalized with cholinergic receptors
- Used to treat sleepiness due to narcolepsy or sleep apnea
- Narcolepsy is caused by a dysfunction of orexin peptides - responsible for wakefulness and sleep suppression
- Improves fatigue levels in healthy adults, motivation, reaction time and vigilance:
Modafinil
Modafinil is a FDA-approved ___________
eugeroic
Ginkgo:
- Scientific name
- Part used
- Bioactive compound
- Ginkgo biloba
- leaves and roots
- ginkgolides
Mechanism of Ginkgo:
4 important things
1) Cholinergic
- Increases uptake and release of Acetylcholine
2) Monoamine
- inhibits MAO
- increases uptake of serotonin
3) GABA
- elevates GABA levels
- increases glutamic acid decarboxylase activity
4) Vascular
- nitric oxide dependent vasodilation
Short term memory tasks increase uptake of
Acetylcholine
Long term memory tasks causes an acute increase followed by
a long lasting decrease and inhibition
____________ a terpene lactone in Ginkgo, elevates GABA in the hippocampus
Bilobalide
T or F: Ginkgo increases glutamic acid decarboxylase activity
T
Ginseng:
- Scientific name
- Part used
- Bioactive compound
- Panax ginseng
- Root
- Ginsengosides
Ginseng mechanism of action: (5)
1) Cholinergic
2) Monoamines
3) Nitric oxide
4) Neurotrophic
- increase nerve growth factor expression
5) Ca2+ influx
- inhibits Ca channels
Bacopa (Brahmi)
- Scientific name
- Part used
- Bioactive compound
- Bacopa monnieri
- Leaves and stem
- Bakosides (triterpenoid saponin)
Firmoss:
- Scientific name
- Part used
- Bioactive compound
- Huperzia serrata
- Clubmoss
- Huperzine A
Huperzine A is a ________________________ that crosses the blood-brain barrier
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and NMDA antagonist
*As an NMDA receptor antagonist it can help prevent neurons from cell death from excitotoxicity
Indian Coleus:
- Scientific name
- Part used
- Bioactive compound
- Coleus foskolii
- Roots
- Forskolin
Why is forksolin unique among nootropics?
Forskolin increases intracellular levels of cAMP through adenylate cyclase activation
Artichoke extract contains luteolin a __________________
phosphodiesterase inhibitor PDE4
Lion’s mane:
- Scientific name
- Part used
- Bioactive compound
- Hericium erinaceus
- Fruit body
- Hericenone/Erinacine
Brain derived neurotropic factor is a protein related to NGF and found in the _______ and ________
brain
pns
Helps support nerve health and encourages the growth and specialization of new nerves and synapses:
BNNF
