EN
Efforts to enhance human potential - including cognitive performance - are probably as old as the humankind. Magic potions to produce superb strength, potency and wisdom can be found in the history of all cultures. Today, the medications sold by prescription as well as preparations available over-the-counter and advertised as “smart drugs” appear more and more desirable and thus, accessible. The re-birth of “memory pills” increased also the curiosity of their potential users regarding the mechanism of action, and efficacy of these products in enhancing mental capacity. While it appears unlikely that “Viagra for the brain” for cognitively-unimpaired subjects will become readily available, recent advances in psychopharmacology seem to offer pro-cognitive treatments for the disorders, in which cognitive impairments were not identified as the major health problem (schizophrenia and major depression). This lecture will briefly summarize the knowledge on learning and memory mechanisms, discuss compounds enhancing learning and memory processes, and show the effectiveness of some old medications and novel compounds in an animal model of cognitive inflexibility. Supported by the grant ProKog (UDA-POIG.01.03.01-12-063/09- 00) co-financed by EU “Research and development of new technologies” within the Innovative Economy Program.