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Noopept

Also known as: Noopept, GVS-111, N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester, N-phenylacetyl-L-polyglycine ethyl ester

Overview

Noopept, chemically known as N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester, is a synthetic nootropic agent designed to enhance cognitive function, particularly memory and learning. It is a dipeptide derivative that mimics piracetam's effects but is reported to be significantly more potent. Primarily used for cognitive enhancement, neuroprotection, and the treatment of cognitive deficits associated with cerebrovascular diseases and brain trauma, Noopept exhibits neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and cognitive-enhancing properties. It influences memory consolidation and retrieval, distinguishing it from piracetam, which mainly affects early memory stages. While several animal and human studies exist, high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses specifically on Noopept are limited, indicating a moderate level of research maturity. Evidence includes preclinical studies, some clinical trials, and systematic reviews on related compounds.

Benefits

Noopept offers several evidence-based benefits, including cognitive enhancement, particularly in memory consolidation and retrieval. It also provides neuroprotection through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, protecting against neurotoxicity from excess calcium and glutamate. Anxiolytic effects have also been observed, selectively reducing anxiety symptoms. Secondary benefits include improved blood rheology, potentially aiding cerebral circulation, and a potential increase in neurotrophic factors like BDNF when administered intranasally, based on animal studies. Patients with cognitive deficits due to cerebrovascular disease and brain trauma may particularly benefit. While quantitative effect sizes are not well-established due to limited large-scale RCT data, the effective dose is significantly lower than piracetam, indicating its potency.

How it works

Noopept primarily acts on the central nervous system, improving neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive processing. Its mechanism of action involves several biological pathways, including antioxidant activity that reduces oxidative stress in neurons and anti-inflammatory effects that mitigate neuroinflammation. It also modulates glutamate and calcium neurotoxicity and enhances neurotrophic signaling pathways, including PKA and BDNF elevation, as shown in animal models. Noopept influences glutamatergic neurotransmission, calcium homeostasis, and neurotrophic factor expression. It is effective both via parenteral and oral administration, with oral bioavailability being a key advantage.

Side effects

Noopept is generally well-tolerated with a favorable safety profile in clinical and preclinical studies. Significant common side effects have not been reported in the reviewed literature. Uncommon side effects, occurring in 1-5% of users, may include mild headaches, irritability, or gastrointestinal discomfort, though these are not consistently observed. Rare side effects, occurring in less than 1% of users, have not been reported in available studies. Due to limited data, caution is advised when combining Noopept with other CNS-active agents due to potential additive effects. Contraindications are not well-established, and its use in pregnancy, lactation, and severe hepatic or renal impairment lacks sufficient data. Clinical data in elderly or pediatric populations are also limited, necessitating further research.

Dosage

The minimum effective dose of Noopept is as low as 5-10 mg per day in clinical assessments. The typical dosage range is 10-30 mg per day orally, divided into doses; however, the exact optimal dosing requires further clinical validation. The maximum safe dose is not clearly defined, as doses significantly higher than the therapeutic range have not been systematically studied for safety. Divided doses throughout the day may optimize cognitive effects and tolerability. Oral tablets are the common form; intranasal administration is experimental and primarily used in research settings. Oral bioavailability is good, but the effects of food on absorption are not well characterized. No specific cofactors are required.

FAQs

Is Noopept safe for long-term use?

Current evidence suggests good tolerability, but long-term safety data are limited. More research is needed to fully understand the effects of prolonged use.

How quickly does Noopept work?

Cognitive effects related to memory consolidation may be observed within days to weeks of use, depending on individual factors and consistent administration.

Can Noopept cause dependence or tolerance?

There is currently no evidence to support the development of dependence or tolerance with Noopept use, based on available studies.

Is Noopept better than piracetam?

Noopept is more potent and affects additional memory stages compared to piracetam, but direct comparative clinical trials are limited, making a definitive comparison challenging.

Are there any dietary restrictions when taking Noopept?

There are no specific dietary restrictions reported when taking Noopept. However, maintaining a balanced diet supports overall cognitive health.

Research Sources

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36324709/ – This literature review summarizes the types, dosages, and side effects of nootropics, including Noopept. It emphasizes Noopept's cognitive-enhancing and neuroprotective properties, highlighting its favorable safety profile. The review also notes the scarcity of large-scale RCTs and calls for more rigorous clinical trials to validate its efficacy.
  • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9415189/ – This experimental study in animal models demonstrates that intranasal administration of Noopept elevates neuroprotective PKA signaling and BDNF levels, reversing cognitive deficits. This suggests a molecular mechanism for neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement, though human data are still needed to confirm these findings.
  • https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/1/690 – This MDPI study on intranasal Noopept and Forskolin in animal models showed that intranasal administration of Noopept elevated neuroprotective PKA signaling and BDNF levels, reversing cognitive deficits. This suggests a molecular mechanism for neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement, though human data are lacking.
  • https://karger.com/ced/article/25/1-2/5/58409/A-Systematic-Review-and-Meta-Analysis-of-the – This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the efficacy and safety of animal-derived nootropics in dementia, including a subgroup analysis for vascular cognitive impairment. While not exclusively focused on Noopept, it supports the neuroprotective potential of this class of compounds. The review highlights that specific high-quality RCT data on Noopept remain limited, underscoring the need for further trials.
  • https://www.science.gov/topicpages/n/nootropic+drug+noopept.html – This foundational study described Noopept's pharmacological profile, showing it to be 1000 times more potent than piracetam, with neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and cognitive-enhancing effects in animal models and initial clinical assessment. The study demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms and oral bioavailability. Limitations include small clinical sample sizes and lack of large RCTs.