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A brief review of studies of piracetam in dyslexia.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)·2011
Same author
The Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test: remembering a short route.
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Piracetam and dyslexia: effects on reading tests.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology·1987
The nootropic concept and dyslexia.
1Rutgers Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey.
Annals of Dyslexia
|November 19, 2013
Summary
Intensive teaching interventions show limited success for dyslexia. However, Piracetam, a nootropic, demonstrates potential in improving reading abilities and cognitive functions in dyslexic children with minimal side effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Controlled studies on intensive teaching interventions for dyslexia yielded limited positive results, with only one study demonstrating superiority.
- Nootropics, a class of drugs, have emerged as a potential area of interest for cognitive enhancement.
- Piracetam, the first nootropic, has been investigated for its effects on memory and learning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review controlled studies on intensive teaching interventions for dyslexia.
- To examine the existing research on Piracetam, a nootropic agent.
- To assess the efficacy of Piracetam in improving reading abilities in dyslexic children.
Main Methods:
- Review of eight controlled studies on intensive teaching interventions.
Main Results:
- Only one of eight controlled studies showed intensive teaching to be superior for improving dyslexic reading ability.
- Piracetam appears to lack significant or serious side effects.
- Clinical and animal studies suggest Piracetam promotes memory and learning.
- Multiple double-blind studies indicate Piracetam improves reading ability in dyslexic children.
- Electrophysiological studies suggest Piracetam may be active in the left hemisphere.
Conclusions:
- Intensive teaching interventions have shown limited success in improving reading ability in dyslexics.
- Piracetam shows promise as a safe and effective treatment for improving reading ability in dyslexic children.
- Further research into Piracetam's cognitive-enhancing effects and its potential hemispheric activity is warranted.


