Therapeutics

Nefiracetam

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Overview

Name: Nefiracetam
Chemical Name: N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide
Therapy Type: Small Molecule (timeline)
Target Type: Cholinergic System (timeline)
Condition(s): Alzheimer's Disease
U.S. FDA Status: Alzheimer's Disease (Discontinued)
Company: Daiichi Sankyo Pharmaceuticals
Approved for: None

Background

Nefiracetam is a pyrrolidone-type agent that affects multiple neurotransmitter systems including: aminergic, glutaminergic, and cholinergic. It has been shown to stimulate α4β2-type neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, activating protein kinase C, and reducing magnesium block of the NMDA receptor 13—19. In addition, nefiracetam increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression (Ando et al., 2005) as well as regional blood flow and glucose utilization after cerebral ischemia in rats (Jin et al., 2002).

Last Updated: 12 Dec 2013

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References

Paper Citations

  1. Ando T, Takagi N, Takagi K, Kago T, Takeo S. Effects of nefiracetam on the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and synapsin I mRNA and protein in the hippocampus of microsphere-embolized rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 2005 Jan 10;507(1-3):49-56. Epub 2004 Dec 23 PubMed.
  2. Jin J, Watabe S, Yamamoto T. Nefiracetam improves the impairment of local cerebral blood flow and glucose utilization after chronic focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Pharmacology. 2002;64(3):119-25. PubMed.

Further Reading

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