Nebracetam is a research racetam with demonstrated M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist activity in animal and in vitro models. It is not marketed or clinically studied in humans.

Is Nebracetam a cognitive enhancer?

By analogy to other racetams, Nebracetam is considered a potential nootropic. Only animal/cell data for cognition exist; no human efficacy evidence is available.

In Australia it is Schedule 4 (Rx-only), elsewhere unscheduled; not FDA/EMA approved; only for lab research.

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Nebracetam

CAS 97205-34-0

Nebracetam is a racetam-structured experimental nootropic and muscarinic M1 acetylcholine receptor agonist, studied only in animals and cell lines. It is not approved for any therapeutic use.

Also known as:

ChEMBL2104682UNII T30038QI8NPubChem 65926

Formula

C₁₂H₁₆N₂O

Chemical Profile

IUPAC Name:Not published (see registry refs)

Formula:C₁₂H₁₆N₂O

Structure:Racemic pyrrolidone moiety

PubChem CID:65926

Chirality:Racemic mixture

Molar Mass:204.27 g/mol

Origin:Investigational, Japan (pre-2000)

ChEMBL:CHEMBL2104682

Mechanism of Action

Nebracetam is a documented agonist of the M1-muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in animal/cell models, distinct from most racetams which act as allosteric modulators or AMPAkines.

Mechanistic demonstration is limited to in vitro and rodent studies.

Preclinical Evidence

M1-Muscarinic Agonist & Brain Neurotransmitter Changes (Rodent, Cell Models)

Nebracetam increases M1 muscarinic ACh receptor signaling and affects neurotransmitter levels in rodent brains post-embolism; other studies show cell-level M1 agonism and cellular energetics modulation.

Takeo, S., et al. "Effects of delayed treatment with nebracetam on neurotransmitters in brain regions after microsphere embolism in rats." British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 121, no. 3, 1997, pp. 477–484. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjp.0701161.

Kitamura, Y., Kaneda, T., Nomura, Y. "Effects of nebracetam (WEB 1881 FU), a novel nootropic, as a M1-muscarinic agonist." Japanese Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 55, no. 1, 1991, pp. 177–180. https://doi.org/10.1254/jjp.55.177.

Gabryel, B., et al. "Effect of nebracetam on content of high-energy phosphates and morphometry of rat astrocytes in vitro. Comparison with piracetam." Acta Pol Pharm., vol. 57, no. 4, 2000, pp. 289–298.

Yamashita, S., Mase, N., Takabe, K. "Chemoenzymatic total synthesis and configuration of (S)-nebracetam." Tetrahedron: Asymmetry, vol. 19, no. 18, 2008, pp. 2115–2118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tetasy.2008.09.004.

Safety & Side Effects

No animal or human safety data published; no known reports of toxicity or serious adverse effects in research settings.

No empirical safety data available as of 2024.

Regulatory & Legal Status

Australia / Global

Schedule 4 (Rx-only) in Australia
Not FDA/EMA approved; research only elsewhere
Not marketed or clinically available

Note: Not approved for human use; research status only.

History

Nebracetam was synthesized and published in the 1990s as a muscarinic racetam. All research is preclinical; there are no reported human trials or marketing attempts.

1991–2000s

Cell & animal pharmacology papers

2024

No human data; research only

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Benefits

Unique M1 muscarinic racetam mechanism
Preclinical rat/cell data
Potential nootropic applications (investigational)

Considerations

Not marketed or FDA/EMA approved
No human or toxicology data
Research only—never as supplement/medication

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Scientific References

For research reference only. Not for human use. Last updated: 4/12/2025.