N-Phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester

N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester, or Noopept, is a synthetic pharmaceutical designed by a Russian pharmaceutical company. It is sometimes called a nootropic, based on preliminary evidence that it has neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing properties.^[1][2][3] Noopept was designed using the structure of piracetam, another nootropic, as a starting point.^[4]

Noopept may be beneficial for brain health, but this claim is based almost exclusively on studies in which Noopept was administered (often via injection) to rodents with brain damage caused by toxin injection, oxygen deprivation, and other methods.^[5][6][7][8][ One of the only controlled trials involving humans found that Noopept supplementation improved cognitive function in a small group of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) resulting from a stroke.^[9] These findings have not yet been independently replicated.

Sleep disturbances, irritability, and increases in blood pressure have been reported in people taking Noopept.^[10][9] It should be stressed that there is not much research evaluating the safety of Noopept.

Given its similarities to other nootropics like piracetam and ampakines, Noopept may also cause dizziness, headaches, gastrointestinal symptoms, and impairments in memory, although these effects are speculative.^[11]

Noopept’s mechanism of action is uncertain, but several possibilities have been proposed. In particular, it may increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that helps establish neural connections and neurotransmission in the brain.^[12] Noopept may also activate or modulate neurotransmitter receptors involved in learning and cognitive function, including certain glutamatergic and cholinergic receptors.^[13][14][3]