According to New Scientist, CX717, which is a member of the new class of drugs called “ampakines,” can increase alertness without any of the over-stimulating effects of substances such as caffeine.

It has wide-ranging effects: Memory, attention, alertness, reaction time and problem solving all were dramatically improved in tests involving sleep-deprived men.

Dr. Julia Boyle at the Sleep Research Centre at the University Of Surrey, U.K. led the research on behalf of US-based Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Sixteen healthy young men were placed into one of four groups. Each group was randomly assigned to take 100 milligrams, 300 mg or 1,000 mg of the drug — except for the fourth group, which was given a placebo. In an interesting experimental twist, over time each volunteer participated in all of the experimental groups, thereby producing their own control scores.

EEG tests were conducted for each dosage level, starting with a baseline after agood night’s sleep and extending for a total of 27 hours thereafter.

Not only did the drug significantly improve performance on tests, taking more ofit improved performance for a longer period of time. (Though the researchers did not publicly speculate, the results suggest that the optimal dosage may be greater than 1,000 mg.)

Ampakines boost the activity of glutamate, a crucial neurotransmitter. The body metabolizes them in just a couple of hours, so they have few side effects.

While the drug was originally intended as a possible treatment for narcolepsy, jet lag, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and perhaps even Alzheimer’s Disease, it obviously will help healthy people as well.

As a practical matter, the FDA never approves drugs for the purpose of making so-called healthy normal people better. (It always amazes me that policymakers blindly accept some hypothetical norm as being optimal. I mean, who wouldn’t rather be stronger, faster or smarter if there were no side effects?)

By the way, don’t get me started on the FDA, which I have come to regard as a snake’s nest of political intrigue and machinations with a regrettably inconsistent connection to solid science. Indeed, in the Federal Appellate Court case of Pearson vs. Shalala, the three-judge panel ruled that the FDA does not apply scientific standards in making its decisions.

Fortunately, assuming CX717 is approved for any of the above-mentioned conditions, your doctor can legally prescribe it to you for any purpose whatsoever that he or she deems appropriate. (It’s irrelevant whether there’s even scientific evidence for that purpose. In this respect, I’m grateful for the sanctified status our society accords doctors.)

I’ll be watching for approval of this drug and, assuming it shows no serious side effects, will recommend it in this space when available. Meanwhile, consider taking galantamine-containing supplements, such as Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw’s GalantaMind, as well as a good source of daily choline.

Galantamine is derived from the common snowdrop and other herbs. It blocks the age-related breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, an essential molecule that supports memory function. Interestingly, it was used by the legendary Greek hero Odysseus, known as the champion of memory and enemy of forgetfulness, 3,200 years ago. Perhaps the ancient bards were attempting to encode valuable knowledge into legend, a practice arguably not uncommon, as documented in the interesting book Hamlet’s Mill.

I take galantamine daily, along with several dozen other supplements. I also take Pearson and Shaw’s Memory Upgrade product, which supplies raw choline (a crucial building block of acetylcholine, as well as essential cofactors, and their Blast Caps. (I have characterized Blast Caps as “perfected coffee” because it supplies the nutrients that coffee causes your brain to consume. However, it lacks the delicious taste of coffee, or any taste at all for that matter.)

You can examine the science behind these products and order them by visiting Life-Enhancement.com. Since I expected many of our readers to be ordering these products, I called the company to see if I could get you a deal. I’m pleased to report that if you use the code “EMERGING” you’ll get a discount on your purchase.

Another excellent product that should strengthen memory is Protandim, made by Transformational Technologies Portfolio holding Lifeline Therapeutics (LFLT.OB: OTC BB). It’s sold in GNC stores nationally and soon will be offered in Walgreen’s. And of course, neither Agora nor I have any ownership interest in the above-mentioned companies.

To your profitable future,

Jonathan Kolber
August 16, 2006

Remember This Article was originally featured in the Penny Sleuth.