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Herbs and phytochemicals > Nootropics > Flashcards

Nootropics Flashcards

1
Q

What is a nootropic, and 5 requirement to be be categorized as a nootropic

A

NOOTROPIC: Used to enhance memory or other cognitive function.

To be considered a Nootropic a substance must…

  1. Enhance memory and ability to learn.
  2. Help the brain function under disruptive conditions, such as hypoxia (low oxygen) and electroconvulsive shock.
  3. Protect the brain from chemical and physical assaults, such as anti-cholinergic drugs and barbiturates.
  4. Increase the efficacy of neuronal firing control mechanisms in cortical and sub-cortical regions of the brain.
  5. Possess few or no side effects and be virtually non-toxic.
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2
Q

Classes of nootropics, where does piracetam belong

A

Racetams (piracetam)
CNS stimulants
Herbs
Nutrients

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3
Q

How do nootropics work (6)

A
  1. Brain energy
  2. brain chemicals
  3. cerebral blood flow
  4. brain waves
  5. neuroprotection
  6. brain regeneration
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4
Q

What are the main brain chemicals and their function

A

oAcetylcholine (ACh) – Memory, learning, and basic “thinking” cognition.

oDopamine (DA) – Mood and motivation; pleasure-reward pathway.

oSerotonin (5HT) – Relaxation and deep satisfaction.

oNorepinephrine (NE) – Attention and intense focus.

oEpinephrine (EPI) – a.k.a. Adrenaline; intense energy.

oGamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) – “Downer” sedation and calmness; inhibits excessive excitation.

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5
Q

How nootropics work on brain energy and brain chemicals

A

1.Brain Energy

oEnhance metabolic activity of mitochondria

oEnhance fatty acid transport to mitochondria

oEnhance oxygen and nutrient uptake

2.Brain Chemicals

Supplies precursors, increases synthesis, increases receptor sensitivity and inhibits breakdown of neurotransmitters.

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6
Q

How nootropics work on cerebral flow, neuroprotection, and brain regeneration

A

3.Cerebral Blood Flow

oPromotes Nitric Oxide activation and relaxation of blood vessels

oInhibits homocysteine and oxidative damage to cells

oInhibits Advances Glycation Endproducts (AGEs)

3.NeuroprotectionoIncreasing the brain’s antioxidant capacity

oHelping to fight formation of irregular protein clusters

oClearing brain tissue of neurotoxins

oProtecting the brain against the negative effects of stress

4.Brain Regeneration

oBoosting natural brain-boosting growth factors, such as NGF

oProviding raw neuronal building block materials, like choline

oMaintaining brain cell membrane flexibility and plasticity

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7
Q

What are the brain waves and their function, how nootropics influence them (do not care about numbers)

A

3.Brain Waves

oFrom the high to low, the five primary brainwave frequencies and their associated states of consciousness are:

  • Gamma (38-40 Hz) – The highest frequency, “transcends consciousness”.
  • Beta (12-38 Hz) – The average, waking mental state for “fast” thinking.
  • Alpha (8-12 Hz) – Mild, meditative state for free-flowing creativity.
  • Theta (3-8 Hz) – Sleep-to-wake transitions and deep meditation.
  • Delta (0.5-3 Hz) – Deep sleep and advanced levels of deep mediation.

oSome nootropics (notably L-Theanine) can raise alpha brain waves.

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8
Q

Gingkgo: scientific name, part used,

A

Ginkgo biloba

Leaves & Roots

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9
Q

The action of gingko (4)

A
  1. CHOLINERGIC1.Increases uptake and release of Ach.
  2. MONOAMINE
  3. Increases uptake of SEROTONIN (5-HT)
  4. Inhibits MAO
  5. Reduces β-adrenergic binding and activity
  6. Reverses age-related decline in α2 adrenergic receptors (bind epinehrine receptors)
  7. GABA
  8. Elevates GABA levels
  9. Increases glutamic acid decarboxylase activity
  10. VASCULAR
  11. Platelet-Activation-Factor inhibition
  12. Nitric Oxide-dependent vasodilation.
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10
Q

___ is involved in the formation of new memories and is also associated with learning and emotions.

A

Hippocampus

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11
Q

Cholinergic function of ginkgo

A
  • Ginkgo enhances release of ACh and alters cholinergic receptors.
  • Hippocampus – increased presynaptic uptake of choline.
  • Increase in choline uptake due to increase in number of uptake transporters and rate of transport.
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12
Q

How short-term and long-term memory is related to acetylcholine

A

Short-term memory tasks increase uptake of Ach.

Long-term memory reference memory tasks cause an acute increase followed by a long-lasting decrease and inhibition.

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13
Q

How ginkgo acts on mono amines

A

1.Ginkgo increases uptake of Serotonin

oChronic administration to aged rats increases 5-HT in frontal cortex, hippocampus, striatum, and hypothalamus.

oChronic administration prevents stress-induced desensitization of 5-HT1A receptors.(as antidepressant)

2.Ginkgo inhibits Monoamine Oxidase

oInhibits MAOA – metabolizes Norepinephrine, Serotonin, and Dopamine

oInhibits MAOB – metabolizes Dopamine

•Ginkgo reduces β-adrenergic binding & activity

oChronic administration reduces β-adrenergic-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity.

•Ginkgo reverses age-related decline in α2-adrenergic receptors

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14
Q

Ginkgo action on GABA

A

•Ginkgo elevates GABA levels

oBilobalide, a Terpene Lactone in Ginkgo, elevates GABA in hippocampus

•Ginkgo increases glutamic acid decarboxylase activity.

oGAD catalyzes the decarboxylation of Glutamate to GABA.

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15
Q

Gingko action on vascular system, how

A

•Inhibits Platelet-Activating Factor

oPAF is a chemical messenger with many biological roles, including aggregation of blood platelets.

oGinkgosides A, B, and C antagonize PAF.

oInhibiting PAF improves microcirculation.

•NO-dependent vasodilation

oGinkgo improves sexual function by increasing nitric oxide production.

oNO in an important gaseous neurotransmitter involved in erections.

•Potent antioxidant activity

oFlavonoid glycosides: Kaempferol, Quercetin, Apigenin, Luteolin, Myrcetin

•Cerebral Blood Flow

oIncreases blood flow to multiple regions of the brain

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16
Q

Ginseng: scientific name, part used,

A

Panax ginseng

Root

17
Q

The mechanism of action: ginseng

A
  1. Cholinergic: Increased Ach release & nicotinic binding.
  2. Monoamines: Turnover of DA, NE & 5-HT is increased or decreased depending on dose and duration of use.
  3. Nitric Oxide: Enhanced epithelial synthesis in heart, lungs & kidneys.(vasodilation)
  4. Neurotrophic: Increase Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) expression.
  5. Ca2+ Flux: Inhibits Ca2+ channels
18
Q

Bacopa: another name, scientific name, part used,

A

Bacopa monnieri

Leaves &stems

19
Q

Bacopa mechanism of action (4)

A

1.Antioxidant / NeuroprotectionoBacosides are powerful antioxidants that prevent lipid peroxidation.

oLipid peroxidation is involved in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and other neurodegenerative disorders.

  1. Cerebral Blood Flow and VasodilationoBacopa acts as a vasodilator by releasing NO from the endothelium.
  2. Neurotransmitter PotentiationoIn rats, Bacopa doubled levels of 5-HT. Glutamate and Ach increased slightly. DA levels lowered by 9%.

oRise in 5-HT may enhance learning and memory.

4.ADHD

oA study in 31 children aged 6–12 years found that taking 225 mg of Bacopa monnieri extract daily for 6 months significantly reduced ADHD symptoms, such as restlessness, poor self-control, inattention, and impulsivity in 85% of the children

20
Q

Firmoss: scientific name, part used,

A

Huperzia serrata

Clubmoss

21
Q

Huperzine A: action mechanism

A

oHuperzine A is a Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and NMDA antagonist that crosses the blood-brain barrier.oAs an NMDA receptor antagonist, it can help prevent neurons from cell death from excitotoxicity.

22
Q

Indian coleus: scientific name, part used

A

Coleus foskolii

Roots

23
Q

Forskolin activity, why it is unique

A
  • UNIQUE among Nootropics: Forskolin increases intracellular levels of cAMP through adenylate cyclase activation – increased responsiveness to extracellular stimuli. (acts on post synaptic neuron)
  • Inhibits acetylcholinesterase – increased acetylcholine levels.
  • Synergistic with artichoke extract in increasing cAMP levels.
  • Anti-inflammatory effects.
24
Q

Why forskolin and artichoke extract is a bomb mix?

A
  • Forskolin MIGHT work as a nootropic, but might work better as part of a “stack”.
  • Artichoke extract contains LUTEOLIN – a powerful phosphodiesterase (PDE4) inhibitor.
  • Excess PDE4 degrades cAMP – an intracellular messenger within brain cells.
  • cAMP produces proteins needed for neuron and synapse growth, a process called Long-Term Potentiation (LTP).
  • LTP is the process where synaptic connections get stronger in response to electrical stimulation in the brain.
25
Q

Lion’s mane: scientific name, part used

A

Fruit body

Hericium erinaceus

26
Q

Lion’s mane: mechanism of action

A
  • Hericenones and Erinacines isolated from the cultured mycelia of Lion’s Mane enhances Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in vitro.
  • NGF is a protein that is essential in the maintenance, survival and regeneration of neurons.

The researchers concluded that Lion’s Mane regenerates damaged nerve cells. In this case, the reversal was so profound, the rats went from being totally disabled to walking again.

27
Q

What is BDNF, function

A
  • Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor is a protein related to NGF and found in the brain and PNS.
  • Helps support nerve health & encourages the growth and specialization of new nerves (Neurogenesis) and synapses (Synaptogenesis)
  • Active in brain areas responsible for learning, memory, and higher thinking.
  • BDNF clears GABA from synaptic cleft. GABA is shuttled into neighbouring astrocytes via the adenosine A2A receptor. As a consequence, nerve pathways become more excitatory.

Increased neural connections increases cognitive function: reasoning, memory, attention, language

The effects of BDNF during the development of retinotectal synaptic connectivity

(A)BDNF increases both arbor complexity and the density of presynaptic specializations

(B)BDNF increases the density of postsynaptic specializations without influencing dendritic branch complexity.

(C)BDNF, by increasing axon arbor size and complexity, allows individual presynaptic axon arbors to establish synaptic contacts with increased numbers of postsynaptic neurons.

28
Q

What is eugeroics

A

Also known as wakefulness-promoting agents and wakefulness-promoting drugs, are a class of drugs that promote wakefulness and alertness

29
Q

Neutrotrophic: definition

A

•Relating to the growth of nervous tissue.

Herbs and phytochemicals (10 decks)

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