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.