Effects of a cholinergic nootropic (Web 1881 fu) on event-related potentials recorded in incidental and intentional memory tasks

In a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study the influence of a cholinergic nootropic (WEB 1881 FU) on event-related brain potentials (ERPs) related to memory performance was investigated. Two different encoding modes were imposed on the subjects, who had to memorize word lists. No significant drug effects were obtained on memory performance and the ERP-concomitant of encoding, the Dm, while ERP effects related to memory were clearly present. However, the two dosages of the drug significantly influenced the overall amplitude of the late cognitive ERP components, suggesting its effect on cognitive processes.