Piracetam (UCB-6215) is a cyclic derivative of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), used in treatment of a wide range of cognitive disorders[3]. In vitro preincubation of brain membranes of aged mice with piracetam (0.1-1.0 mM) enhanced membrane fluidity, as indicated by decreased anisotropy of the membrane-bound fluorescence probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). Piracetam had similar in vitro effects on brain membranes of aged rats and humans, but it did not alter brain membrane fluidity in young mice. Chronic treatment of young and aged rats with piracetam (300 mg/kg once daily) significantly increased membrane fluidity in some brain regions of the aged animals, but had no measurable effect on membrane fluidity in the young rats[4]. Piracetam (300 mg/kg daily for 6 weeks) improves active avoidance learning in the aged rats only and elevates membrane fluidity in all brain regions except the cerebellum in the aged rats. Piracetam (300 mg/kg daily for 6 weeks) also improves NMDA receptor density in the hippocampus and on muscarinic cholinergic receptor densities in the frontal cortex and the striatum and to a lesser extent in the hippocampus of rats[5]. Piracetam was also effective in the treatment of cognitive disorders of cerebrovascular and traumatic origins; however, its overall effect on lowering depression and anxiety was higher than improving memory[6].
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