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).
SMART DRUGS: EFFECTS AND USAGE
WHAT ARE SMART DRUGS?
A smart drug can be defined as a pharmacological substance used for the induction of improvement in numerous cognition facets like memory and attention. A number of pharmacologic interventions have the purpose of bringing improvements in cognition, in particular, neurological and psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder (ADHD), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). As a consequence, enhancement of cognition leads to a better quality of life as the individual can improve his or her functional outcomes. For this reason, both young and aged healthy populations around the world are considering the attainment of enhanced cognition through the employment of smart drugs (Stolerman, 2010).