Nootropic drugs for correction of cognitive functions through the focus of evidence-based medicine (literature review)

Abstract

Relevance. In today's world, the first cause of death is pathology of the cardiovascular system. Vascular disease is influenced by many factors: lack of sleep, physical inertia, poorly balanced diet, obesity, heart disease. The fast pace of life forces a person to be in permanent stress, so as not to miss anything and have time for all the goals. This is why there is a demand for excipients and substances that could improve the peak of human cognitive abilities, maintain psychological stability. Today, the pharmaceutical market offers drugs that, according to pharmaceutical marketers, have solutions to the problems outlined above. These substances are classified to group of nootropic drugs (racetams). Objective. Review of high quality research on the effectiveness of nootropic drugs. Materials and methods. The literature review was performed using such scientometric databases as: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, Ingecta, Web of Science, UpToDate. The review included studies of randomized trials, placebo-controlled randomized trials, meta-analyzes, and systematic reviews. Data meet criteria A and B of evidence-based medicine. In the absence of high quality studies, studies with a lower level of evidence were selected. The search was made by topics: improving of cognitive functions, improving ability to work, improving sleep, improving mood, treatment of mental and psychiatric pathologies (Alzheimer's disease, dementia with various etiologies, depression), application in pediatrics. Results. The literature review included more than 40 high quality studies, but no conclusive evidence was found on the effectiveness of any drug. Conclusions. Data on the undeniable efficacy in relation to the cognitive functions of any of these nootropic drugs were not found in any study. In the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, some (Cerebrolysin, Nicergoline) drugs show controversial results of efficacy and safety. They require continued clinical research and they need to be approved by the FDA.