6 replies to this topic

[thedevinroy]

Found an article off of the GodLikeProductions (conspiracy theory hype site my friend likes) news feed that applies to the development of nootropics.

Think Fast: Speed of thought and perception limited by unified neocortical gateway
http://medicalxpress...eocortical.html

Both thinking AND perception utilize the same resource. What this means is that by increasing functions of certain areas of the brain, the entire brain can process more information. All functions must go through this funnel to be processed... sort of like the motherboard processing chip.

Well... what is this funnel?

The research, conducted by a team of researchers led by Michael N. Tombu at Vanderbilt University’s Marois Lab, found that the inferior frontal junction, superior medial frontal cortex, and bilateral insula are directly involved in capacity limited processing. The experimental design utilized three interrelated experiments: The first imaged isolated brain regions involved in response selection; the second imaged the same areas during perceptual encoding’ and the third tracked decision-making delays caused by concurrent perceptual encoding.

And how does this apply to nootropics?

Regarding potential medical applications, Tombu notes that numerous disorders relate to attentional deficiencies. “Our research speaks directly to the neural mechanisms responsible for the deployment of attention in a range of situations including encoding and response selection. Isolating such a network may help focus research on the potential neural correlates of these disorders.”

That means it is really good for ADHD, Dementia, and Parkinsons research. We all should know that the medicines for these disorders often find their way into becoming a nootropic status drug.

My discussion question is this:

What herbs, drugs, and nutrients enhance the functions of these brain parts?

Edited by devinthayer, 26 August 2011 - 04:35 AM.

[QuantumTubule]

Hmmm, you have not identified the 'seat' of concious mental activity, could be a good start.

[kassem23]

I'd say Piracetam enhances what I'd call 'Global Attention', but not 'Specific Attention', like amphetamines, and other sympathomimetic drugs, but again, that's just my subjective conjecture.

[zarakion]

Interesting that both thinking AND perception utilize this limited resource. Could this partly explain how meditation increases cognition? In meditation you learn and exercise to maximize perception and limit thinking.

[manic_racetam]

This could be turned into a frightening form of marketing research in the wrong hands.

I wonder if through constant multitasking exercises new neural pathways could be created to go around the bottle neck, or if it would just increase "bandwidth". Thanks for the study, interesting stuff.

[Ampa-omega]

Both thinking AND perception utilize the same resource. What this means is that by increasing functions of certain areas of the brain, the entire brain can process more information. All functions must go through this funnel to be processed... sort of like the motherboard processing chip.
Well... what is this funnel?

the inferior frontal junction, superior medial frontal cortex, and bilateral insula are directly involved in capacity limited processing.

And how does this apply to nootropics?

numerous disorders relate to attentional deficiencies. “Our research speaks directly to the mechanisms responsible for the deployment of attention in a range of situations including encoding and response selection. Isolating such a network may help focus research on the potential neural correlates of these disorders.”

That means it is really good for ADHD, Dementia, and Parkinsons research. We all should know that the medicines for these disorders often find their way into becoming a nootropic status drug.
What herbs, drugs, and nutrients enhance the functions of these brain parts?

so, we need to find substances that activate those regions of the brain
perhaps using TMS to target those regions would be effective,
What drugs, supplements? search for things that exert there effect in those areas, I think stimulants will help with focused/isolated attention, in relation to activating that funnel effect and downers probably will negate the funnel effect.

focus attention exercises + focus attention stimulants (+ i'm betting on music that gets you really focused)
For example try some math exercises that require you to calculate as fast as you can and require specific attention.

You want to activate information processing, what mechanisms regulate information processing in the brain? Glutamate receptors, histamine receptors, GABA receptors, and there may be a direct and indirect way in the brain of activating those listed brain regions for focused neurotransmission. Certain proteins, growth factors, specific kinases. etc

Edited by Ampa-omega, 28 August 2011 - 06:22 PM.

[Ampa-omega]

"encode and response", may be fast paced video games that require specific attention, maybe fps games, reaction tests, racing games, sports, multitasking that require specific attention.