Nootropics also referred to as smart drugs, memory enhancers, neuro enhancers, cognitive enhancers, and intelligence enhancers, are drugs, supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods that purportedly improve mental functions such as cognition, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration. Nootropics are thought to work by altering the availability of the brain's supply of neurochemicals (neurotransmitters, enzymes, andhormones), by improving the brain's oxygen supply, or by stimulating nerve growth.
 

GTS-21 has a high affinity for the rodent α7nAChR but its affinity for human α7nAChR is described to be low. Its metabolite, 4OH-(GTS-21) has been described to be a selective partial agonist with greater efficacy for both human and rat α7nAChRs (Conejero-Goldberg et al., 2008, Kem, 2000).
Both GTS-21 itself and its demethylated active metabolite 4-OH-GTS-21[3] display nootropic[4] and neuroprotective effects, and GTS-21 is being investigated for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease,nicotine dependence,and, most significantly, for schizophrenia