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Nootropic StacksEvidence & Dosage

Combinations, Synergies, Safety, and Tracking.

Studies last updated

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
589
With abstract
49
Meta / Systematic / RCT
145
Highly cited
50
Publication years
1991–2026

Nootropic Stacks in the context of Cognition

This topic is part of our "Cognition" world. There you'll find methodology, evidence and the highest-impact levers — plus the order in which they sensibly build on each other.

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Top studies on Nootropic Stacks

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. Cholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease.

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev2006n=13Meta-Analysis200 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Since the introduction of the first cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) in 1997, most clinicians and probably most patients would consider the cholinergic drugs, donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine, to be the first line…

    Finding: Donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine improved cognitive function in people with mild, moderate, or severe dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.

  2. Antipsychotic Drugs and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

    JAMA Psychiatry2025n=952meta200 influential citations

    IMPORTANCE: Cognitive deficits are a substantial part of the symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and contribute heavily to the burden of disease. Antipsychotic drugs are not cognitive enhancers, but due to their different…

  3. Efficacy and safety of donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, and memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    J Alzheimers Dis2014Meta-Analysis136 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>The role of currently available drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been controversial, with some national formularies restricting their use, and health economists questioning whether the small clinical effects are…

    Finding: Memantine had no effect on the Clinicians' Global Impression of Change scale.

  4. Modafinil and methylphenidate for neuroenhancement in healthy individuals: A systematic review.

    Pharmacol Res2010Systematic Review97 influential citations

    The term neuroenhancement refers to improvement in the cognitive, emotional and motivational functions of healthy individuals through, inter alia, the use of drugs. Of known interventions, psychopharmacology provides readily available…

  5. The effect of curcumin on cognition in Alzheimer's disease and healthy aging: A systematic review of pre-clinical and clinical studies.

    Brain Res2019Systematic Review90 influential citations

    Alzheimer's disease constitutes a growing cause of cognitive impairment in aging population. Given that current treatments do not produce the desired therapeutic effects, the need for finding alternative biological and pharmacological…

  6. Anti-inflammatory drugs and risk of Alzheimer's disease: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

    J Alzheimers Dis2015Meta-Analysis76 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>In the past 20 years, substantial evidence from laboratory and epidemiologic studies have suggested that anti-inflammatory medications could defer or prevent the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, several…

  7. Donepezil for dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev2006n=527Meta-Analysis75 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in older people. One of the aims of therapy is to inhibit the breakdown of a chemical neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, by blocking the relevant enzyme. This can be…

  8. Pharmacological Management of Lewy Body Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

    Am J Psychiatry2015n=44Meta-Analysis75 influential citations

    <h4>Objective</h4>The authors examined research on effects, costs, and patient and caregiver views of pharmacological management strategies for Lewy body dementia.<h4>Method</h4>Studies were identified through bibliographic databases,…

  9. Antihypertensive drugs, prevention of cognitive decline and dementia: a systematic review of observational studies, randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, with discussion of potential mechanisms.

    CNS Drugs2015n=1,346,176Systematic Review65 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Chronic hypertension, particularly midlife high blood pressure, has been associated with an increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia. In this context, antihypertensive drugs might have a preventive effect, but…

  10. Cognition and gut microbiota in schizophrenia spectrum and mood disorders: A systematic review.

    Neurosci Biobehav Rev2024n=10Systematic Review65 influential citations

    FRILEUX, M., BOLTRI M. and al. Cognition and Gut microbiota in schizophrenia spectrum and mood disorders: a Systematic Review. NEUROSCI BIOBEHAV REV (1) 2024 Schizophrenia spectrum disorders and major mood disorders are associated with…

Frequently asked

What does the evidence say about Nootropic Stacks?
Donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine improved cognitive function in people with mild, moderate, or severe dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.
What dosage was studied?
• Cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine) (Recommended dose) • Antipsychotic drugs (various classes, including haloperidol, fluphenazine, clozapine, adrenergic/low dopamine, serotonergic/dopaminergic, muscarinic, and dopaminergic agents) • Donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, and memantine (Donepezil 5 mg daily and 10 mg daily; galantamine 24 mg daily and 32 mg daily; memantine 20 mg daily)
Which population does the evidence apply to?
Most studies investigated: unknown.
Are there safety considerations for Nootropic Stacks?
• ChEI treatment had more adverse events overall than placebo. • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea were more frequent with ChEIs. • About 29% discontinued ChEIs due to adverse events vs 18% with placebo. • Donepezil had fewer adverse events than rivastigmine in one comparison.

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