Affiliation:
1. Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
Abstract
More than 65% of the elderly population globally suffers from dementia. The term “smart drug” refers to any drug substance that positively impacts mental skills. Nootropics are agents that are used for boosting the performance of the brain and to increase one's concentration. These are also called cognitive enhancers as these can enhance memory, creativity, awareness, and attention. Natural sources, as well as synthetic approaches, both, are being employed by researchers worldwide for developing smart drugs. Smart drugs are intended to enhance academic, social, as well as career performance. These drugs work by boosting the oxygen supply and nutrition to the brain and are useful for treating various neurodegenerative disorders. Several mechanistic pharmacological approaches have been explored for the development of smart drugs and enhancement of brain activity, the most prominent ones being glutamatergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic pathways. This chapter reviews the various approaches for developing synthetic smart drugs and their applications and limitations.