Staying Sharp: Can You Find Concentration in a Bottle?

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NEW BRAIN BOOSTERS Some drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease increase the levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which plays a key role in attention and memory. One of the drugs, donepezil, was shown in a study of helicopter pilots to enhance mental performance. These drugs, however, are not widely abused

MEANWHILE, IN HEALTH STORES... ...the shelves are filled with herbs and supplements advertised as brain boosters. Few, if any, clinical trials have assessed their efficacy, but here's what we know about some of the more popular ingredients in these concoctions

Some studies suggest ginkgo biloba, especially in combination with panax ginseng, can boost mental performance

Found in plants like the common snowdrop, galantamine is approved by the FDA as the Alzheimer's drug Razadyne. It's marketed to healthy people as a memory enhancer, but no reliable studies support the claim

Derived from a chemical found in the periwinkle, vinpocetine increases blood circulation in the brain. Will taking it make you smarter or more attentive? No one really knows

Derived from the Chinese club moss, huperzine A works like donepezil and galantamine. But there is no evidence it helps young, healthy brains work better

Many swear by the memory-boosting power of phosphatidylserine, and studies suggest it may aid those with age-related problems

Bacopa monniera, or brahmi, has not yet been proved to make anyone any smarter