fasoracetam

Fasoracetam is a small molecule drug belonging to the racetam family and is a derivative of pyroglutamic acid. It was originally developed by Nippon Shinyaku in the late 1980s for vascular dementia but was discontinued after Phase 3 trials due to lack of efficacy. The drug has since been repurposed and investigated primarily for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), especially in individuals with mutations affecting metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) signaling. Fasoracetam acts as a modulator and stimulator of all three groups of metabotropic glutamate receptors, potentially restoring balance to the glutamatergic system. It also upregulates acetylcholine release, modulates GABA(B) receptors, and may increase GABA receptor density, contributing to its cognitive-enhancing effects observed in animal studies. Clinical trials have shown potential benefit in adolescents with ADHD who have specific mGluR gene mutations[1][4][5][6].

Other names

fasoracetamN-(5-Oxo-D-prolyl)piperidine