High hopes for memory-boosting pill

A MEMORY-BOOSTING pill could be available in the near future following impressive early trial results, it was revealed yesterday.

The drug, known as CX717, belongs to a class of compounds called ampakines that increase the brain’s computing power.

In a pilot trial conducted in Britain, it significantly improved wakefulness and mental ability in sleep-deprived volunteers. Monkeys given CX717 also showed a big improvement in a range of cognitive tests.

The drug will have to undergo further clinical trials before going on sale. However, Cortex, the Californian company that owns it, is considering CX717 as a possible treatment for narcolepsy, jet lag, attention deficit hyperactivity and Alzheimer’s disease.

It is also likely to be taken by healthy individuals as a pick-me-up, as are other “lifestyle” drugs.

One, Provigil, has already shown there is a huge market for drugs that can improve mental performance.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved it for treating narcolepsy, sleep apnoea - disrupted breathing during sleep - and sleepiness caused by shiftwork. However, it is widely taken “off-label” by healthy people to stay awake and alert.

Sales of the drug have more than doubled since 2002 and continue to soar.

Advocates of these chemical aids see them as no different from electronic helpers such as palmtop organisers.