Acetylcholine (frequently abbreviated ACh) is the most widely spread neurotransmitter – chemical messenger assisting in carrying signals across the nerve synapse. It is the most plentiful neurotransmitter, which may be found in both the peripheral and central nervous systems (VandenBos, 2007). Acetylcholine used to be the primary neurotransmitter to be discovered. This neurotransmitter was found by Henry Hallett Dale in the year 1914 and its existence was confirmed by Otto Loewi (VandenBos, 2007).
MODAFINIL:USAGE, EFFECTS AND A SIMILAR COMPOUND
Modafinil: Usage, Effects and a Similar Compound
Modafinil is a psychoactive drug belonging to the psychostimulant category. A group of scientists in France discovered modafinil and its related compound Adrafinil in 1970 (Li & Johnson, 2010). Modafinil is often used as a wakefulness-promoting drug, which was commercially introduced in the year 1994 in France under the brand-name Modiodal and in 1998 by the USA by the name ProVigil. Chemically, Modafinil is made up of R and S-enantiomers. The R-enantiomer has a long-lasting waking effect as it is removed from the system three times slower than the S-enantiomer. Armodafinil is the commercially available R-enantiomer that is known by the brand-name Nuvigil. Modafinil is chemically named as 2-[(diphenylmethyl) sulfinyl] acetamide. Both drugs let the patient sleep at will, unlike a majority of other stimulants (Kim, 2012).