COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF MG-THREONATE AND GINKGO BILOBA ON THE COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS OF STUDENTS.

Abstract

Introduction. In the context of rapid digitalization and increasing information flow, there has been a decline in the ability to maintain sustained attention and cognitive activity. Excessive use of social media, increased screen time, and sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances play a significant role in this. Chronic sleep deprivation and irregular daily routines are associated with impaired memory, attention, and executive functions. In addition, the constant influx of new information contributes to superficial data processing and reduced long-term memory consolidation. In this regard, improving cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and learning ability, remains a pressing task for modern clinical pharmacology and neurology. One of the areas of pharmacological correction of cognitive disorders is the use of nootropic agents. The term "nootropics" was introduced in 1964, and Piracetam was the first representative of this group. Modern ideas about the mechanisms of action of nootropic drugs include: modulation of neurotransmission (glutamatergic, cholinergic, GABAergic, etc.); effects on neuroplasticity and synaptogenesis; improvement of cerebral microcirculation and neuron metabolism; antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. The group of so-called "cognitive enhancers" includes racetams, neuroamino acids, GABA derivatives, cerebral vasoactive drugs, as well as nutraceuticals with potential nootropic effects, including magnesium L-threonate, standardized extracts of Ginkgo biloba, and L-theanine. In this study, magnesium L-threonate and standardized Ginkgo biloba extract were selected as objects of comparative analysis. These agents were chosen because of the availability of published clinical studies confirming their potential positive effect on cognitive function, as well as their relatively favorable safety profile. Magnesium L-threonate is considered a form of magnesium with an increased ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, which potentially affects synaptic plasticity and learning processes. In addition, magnesium threonate has a number of other functions in the body, specifically: