Nootropics or smart drugs are well-known compounds or supplements that enhance the cognitive performance. They work by increasing the mental function such as memory, creativity, motivation, and attention. Recent researches were focused on establishing a new potential
nootropic derived from synthetic and natural products. The influence of
nootropic in the brain has been studied widely. The
nootropic affects the brain performances through number of mechanisms or pathways, for example, dopaminergic pathway. Previous researches have reported the influence of
nootropics on treating
memory disorders, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. Those disorders are observed to impair the same pathways of the
nootropics. Thus, recent established
nootropics are designed sensitively and effectively towards the pathways. Natural
nootropics such as Ginkgo biloba have been widely studied to support the beneficial effects of the compounds. Present review is concentrated on the main pathways, namely, dopaminergic and
cholinergic system, and the involvement of
amyloid precursor
protein and secondary messenger in improving the cognitive performance.