Piracetam, also known by the name of Nootropil, is a nootropic compound. It is well known in Europe as a brain function regulating drug which apparently is able to enhance memory and cognition. It was also found to slow down the aging of the brain, improve blood flow and oxygenation in the brain, speed up recovery after stroke, as well as help to improve patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Bio-chemically Piracetam is a derivative of GABA (gamma amino butyric acid). Piracetam is not so well known in the United States; however, it is quite commonly prescribed in Europe for a variety of conditions, including dementia. In the United States, due to its non-toxic nature and its general health benefit, it is considered to be a food supplement rather than a drug.
A number of studies revealed the potential benefit of Piracetam (Nootropil) for age-related memory decline, as well as Alzheimer's disease. In 1991, a study conducted in Milan, Italy found Piracetam to be effective in improving clinical and neuro-physiological performance in elderly people with mental decline and dementia. In particular, it was effective for attention and memory improvement.
In 2002, "Dementia and Geriatric Cognition Disorders" journal published a meta-analysis performed on 19 double blind placebo controlled studies of Piracetam in participants suffering from cognitive impairment and dementia. The results of this meta-analysis have provided evidence for the global efficacy of Piracetam in elderly people with cognitive impairment.
In 1983, a 12 week double blind study, which compared Piracetam (Nootropil) in the doses of 2.4 and 4.8 grams per day with placebo in the treatment of sixty elderly patients suffering from psychiatric condition, was conducted in Germany. Monthly evaluations of the patients taking Piracetam included overall functioning, alertness, socialization and cooperation. Patients treated with 2.4 grams a day of Piracetam have demonstrated significant improvement in memory, according to Wechsler Adult Intentional and Memoriam Scales. Even greater result was found in the group taking 4.8 grams a day. Piracetam was found to be safe and not having any interaction with any other psychiatric medication taken by participants.
In 1997, a study conducted in the University of Lyon in France researched age-associated memory impairment in the general practice and use of Piracetam. Participants who had the lowest baseline performance on memory test revealed the highest and most impressive improvement with the treatment of 2.4 and 4.8 grams of Piracetam. The conclusion of the study was in agreement with the previously published double blind placebo controlled trials, which found the positive effect of Piracetam (Nootropil) treatment along with memory training.
