Nebracetam (3-benzylaminomethyl-2-pyrrolidone, or WEB1881FU) is a lesser-studied member of the racetam family of nootropics. Like other racetams, it is an aminomethyl pyrrolidinone derivative of piracetam (the original nootropic). It was first synthesized in Germany in the late 1980s, where it was manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim.
Function
Nebracetam has been investigated as a cognition-enhancing drug, but most of the studies have taken place in animal models. It has been shown to protect neurons in animals exposed to low levels of oxygen and low blood sugar. Nebracetam is also protective against glutamate toxicity, presumably via its modulation of calcium entry. In animal models of Alzheimer's disease, nebracetam improved memory in a dose-dependent manner. It also protected against ischemia- (lack of oxygen) induced neuronal death in a rat model of stroke. The compound has also been tested as a possible antidepressant, presumably because its mechanism of action (reducing dopaminergic and serotonergic uptake) is similar to other commonly used antidepressants.
Some studies have taken place in humans. A single dose was shown to alter brain waves in healthy volunteers, who showed increased alpha activity and an associated decrease of slow activity and of fast activity in the frontal cortex. These results imply that nebracetam might improve linguistic learning and memory processing. A trial in dementia patients reported that significant clinical improvement occurred after 8 weeks. However, other studies did not replicate this finding
China
