Rankings / Cognitive — Nootropics
Memantine
Cognitive · NMDA antagonist
Tier B+
What this is
Approved for moderate-to-severe AD; modest effect sizes on ADCS-ADL. Off-label uses include augmentation in OCD and neuropathic pain. Nootropic use in healthy individuals poorly studied and not recommended — potential for cognitive blunting at higher doses.
Mechanism
Low-affinity, uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist; blocks pathologic tonic glutamate activation while preserving physiologic bursts; also 5-HT3 and nicotinic antagonism
Dose & route
5-20 mg/day PO titrated
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12867213/
- https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003154.pub6/full
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2695164/
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