Modulation of neurogenesis by nootropic agents

This is a fascinating patent about using nootropics to stimulate, inhibit, and control the growth of new brain cells. However the use of current drugs can only manipulate natural neurogenesis occurring in the lateral ventricles and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation.

What this means is that we could increase our capacity to learn and remember permanently by using nootropic drugs! Since inhibited neurogenesis, usually caused by stress, can often lead to depression this therapy could lead to a whole new branch of antidepressant drugs as well.

Unfortunately it appears that the creation of neurons is caused by the effects of either large and possibly dangerous doses of one nootropic, or small and safe doses of multiple nootropics. You are unlikely to convince your physician to go along with either path, so I guess we are on our own. I am trying to dig up some more on this, hopefully there are some case studies in a medical journal somewhere.

Here is the patent:

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20070244143.html

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Tags: antidepresents, Drugs, learning, memory, neurogenises, Nootropic, smart drugs, transhuman