I have been examining the structures of racetams and have a few questions. I am no chemistry expert but I know enough to understand the basics. So piracetam was developed by wrapping GABA into a ring. Can anyone share how this idea could have possibly been dreamt up? Was this process precedented? Second, how were the rest of the racetams discovered? I understand oxiracetam was simply modified from piracetam for different solubility characteristics. But take aniracetam, it has a fairly wild structure which is formed by mixing piracetam with some obscure reagents. Could computer drug screening programs have been used in the development process for these compounds? Or is it based off trial and error of mixing reagents and obtaining toxicology data on whatever structures form? Gaining an understanding of the discovery process would definitely help continuing community research as parallels to related drugs should be investigated, since we still don't even know the exact MOA of any racetam.
Relevant specific question: can coluracetam be considered a tricyclic antidepressant? Looking at it's structure and effects profile, and armed with wikipedia-level knowledge, I would say it is. Can any experts chime in?
Edited by Fenix_, 05 December 2014 - 06:03 AM.
