Increasing knowledge of the neurobiological basis of synaptic plasticity and
memory has opened new venues for the development of cognitive-enhancing drugs that
could be used in the treatment of memory loss associated with neurological and
psychiatric disorders. Neuromodulatory systems influencing memory formation include
stress hormones as well as a range of neurotransmitter and neuropeptide signaling
pathways. Here, we review some of the findings on memory enhancement by drugs
acting on neuromodulatory systems and discuss the possible implications for the
development of cognitive enhancers.
Keywords: Synaptic plasticity, Glutamate, Noradrenaline, Dopamine,
Acetylcholine, Catecholamine, Protein kinase, Neuropeptide, Neurotrophin,
Neurotransmitter, Neuronal receptor, Transcription factor, Epigenetics,
Neuromodulation, Learning, Memory modulation, Memory consolidation,
Cognitive dysfunction, Cognitive enhancement, Translational research.