This is a list of investigational cognition and memory disorder drugs, or drugs that are currently under development for clinical use for the treatment of cognition disorders and/or memory disorders but are not yet approved. Chemical/generic names are listed first, with developmental code names, synonyms, and brand names in parentheses. The format of list items is "Name (Synonyms) – Mechanism of Action [Reference]". This list was last comprehensively updated in June 2026. It is likely to become outdated with time.
Under development
Phase 2 Anhydrous enol oxaloacetate (AEO; oxaloacetate) – oxaloacetate replacement [1] Cenicriviroc (CVC; TAK-652; TBR-652) – C-C chemokine CCR2 and CCR5 receptor antagonist [2] CN-105 – apolipoprotein E (ApoE) agonist [3] CORT-108297 (ADS-108297) – glucocorticoid receptor antagonist [4] CST-2032 – β2-adrenergic receptor agonist [5] Everolimus (Absorb; Absorb BVS; Affinitor; Affinitor Dispersible; Afinitor; Afinitor Disperz; Certican; Esprit BTK; Esprit BVS; Promus; Promus Element; Promus Premier; RAD; RAD-001; SDZ RAD; Synergy; Votubia; Xience nano; Xience Prime; Xience V; Xience Xpedition; Zortress) – mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor [6] Florbetapir F 18 (18F-AV-45; Amyloid imaging agent; Amyvid; AV-45; Florbetapir (18F); Florpiramine F 18) – imaging enhancer (diagnosis) [7] Flortaucipir F 18 (18F-AV-1451; [18F]-T-807; [3H]AV 1451; [F-18]T807; [F18]AV1451; Fluorine 18 AV 1451; LY3191748; T807; Tauvid) – imaging enhancer (diagnosis) [8] Iclepertin (BI-425809) – glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) inhibitor [9] Inidascamine (FSV7-007; RL-007) – undefined mechanism of action (acts on cholinergic, ionotropic glutamate NMDA, and GABAB receptor systems) [10] Methylphenidate controlled release (Adhansia XR; Aptensio XR; Biphentin; Foquest; PRC-063) – norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) [11] PH-15 (PH15; PH15-NS) – chemoreceptor cell modulator (vomeropherine) [12] VQW-765 (VQW765; AQW051; AQW-051; JQH481R778) – α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist [13]
Phase 1/2 Curcumin (CR-011L; Theracurmin) – undefined mechanism of action (immunomodulator) [14] Edicotinib (JNJ-244; JNJ-40346527; JNJ-40346527-AAC-G-002; JNJ-527; PRV-6527) – colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) inhibitor [15]
Phase 1 APH-1105 – α-secretase activator [16]
Preclinical Borneol/cilostazol (cilostazol dexborneol; cilostazol/borneol; cilostazol/dexborneol; d-borneol/cilostazol; Y-6) – combination of borneol (various actions) and cilostazol (phosphodiesterase PDE3 inhibitor) [17] DPX-101 – α5 subunit-containing GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator [18] JN-0413 – synthetic α-klotho protein [19] TET-104 – AAV-based gene therapy modulating E2F4 [20]
Not under development
No development reported Amdiglurax (NSI-189; ALTO-100) – unknown mechanism of action (hippocampal neurogenesis stimulant and indirect brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) modulator) [21] [22] AP-5 – ionotropic glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist [23] AVL-3288 (Anvylic-3288; UCI-4083) – α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator [24] BI-474121 – undefined mechanism of action [25] BNC-375 – α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator [26] Eltoprazine (DU-28853) – serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptor agonist [27] Emoxypine (ethylmethylhydroxypyridine; Mexidol) – various actions (antioxidant and other actions) [28] GSK-1034702 (GSK1034702; GSK1043702) – muscarinic acetylcholine M1 receptor agonist [29] HTL-9936 (HTL-0009936) – muscarinic acetylcholine M1 receptor agonist [30] Idebenone (Avan; Cerestabon; CV-2619; Daruma; Mnesis) – antioxidant and free radical scavenger [31] Irdabisant (CEP-26401) – histamine H3 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist [32] KTX-0101 (sodium β-hydroxybutyrate) – free radical scavenger [33] Laromestrocel (Allogeneic Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells; LMSC; Lomecel-B; LOMECEL-B; Longeveron human mesenchymal stem cells; Mesenchymal stem cell therapy) – bone-marrow-derived allogeneic mesenchymal stem-cell therapy [34] Lenrispodun (IC-200214-12; IC-200214; IC200214 phosphate; ITI-214; ITI-002; ITI-12-Cyclo-(S,R) phosphate; ITI-214 phosphate; ITI12-phosphate; ITI200214-phosphate) – phosphodiesterase PDE1 inhibitor [35] Masupirdine – serotonin 5-HT6 receptor antagonist [36] MHP-133 – acetylcholinesterase inhibitor [37] MW-151 (MW01-2-151SRM) – cytokine inhibitor [38] Omberacetam (DVD-111; GVS-111; Noopept) – undefined mechanism of action (possible cycloprolylglycine/traneurocin prodrug) [39] Osoresnontrine (BI-409306; SUB-166499) – phosphodiesterase PDE9A inhibitor [40] PD-151832 – muscarinic acetylcholine M1 receptor agonist [41] Plosaracetam (ABBV-552; SDI-118) – synaptic vesicle glycoprotein SV2A agonist [42] Pregnenolone intranasal (MPP-26; PregnenoMat) – various actions [43] Research programme: Alzheimer's disease therapeutics - ENKAM (FGL-S) – fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor modulator [44] Research programme: glutamate receptor modulators - Eli Lilly and Company (LY-503430; LY-2607540; LY-450108) – ionotropic glutamate AMPA receptor agonists, ionotropic glutamate kainate receptor antagonists, and metabotropic glutamate mGlu2 receptor modulators [45] Research programme: klotho protein modulators - Klogene Therapeutics – klotho modulators [46] Research programme: phosphodiesterase IV inhibitors - Dart NeuroScience – phosphodiesterase PDE4 inhibitors [47] Research programme: serotonin 6 receptor antagonists - GlaxoSmithKline (GSK-215083A; SB-357134; SB-699929) – serotonin 5-HT6 receptor antagonists [48] Research programme: small molecule therapeutics - Algiax Pharmaceuticals (AP-19; AP-3; AP-4; AP-61; AP-778; AP-8; ThAc derivatives; thioacrylamide derivatives) – GABAA receptor modulators and phosphodiesterase PDE4 modulators [49] Research programme: targeted lipid transport therapeutics - Amarin (AMR-102/3; AMR-103; AMR-109; combinatorial lipids programme; TLT programme) – dopamine receptor agonists [50] Research programme: therapeutic agents - AstraZeneca/Jubilant Biosys – undefined mechanism of action [51] S-17092 – prolyl endopeptidase inhibitor [52] Samelisant (SUVN-G3031) – histamine H3 receptor inverse agonist [53] SCH-57790 – muscarinic acetylcholine M2 receptor antagonist [54] Selegiline transdermal (Emsam; L-deprenyl) – monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor, catecholaminergic activity enhancer (CAE), and other actions [55] Sirolimus (encapsulated rapamycin; eRapa) – mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor [56] SKL-15508 (SKL15508; SKL-A4R) – α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist [57] SNB-011 (Airnecflu; Pentarlandir; Pentarlandir UPPTA; SNB-01; SNB-011) – SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) inhibitor [58]
Suspended HTL-18318 (HTL-0018318; HTL18318) – muscarinic acetylcholine M1 receptor agonist [59]
Discontinued ABT-239 – histamine H3 receptor antagonist [60] Acamprosate/baclofen (PXT-864) – combination of acamprosate (various actions) and baclofen (GABAB receptor agonist) [61] ACP-319 – muscarinic acetylcholine M1 receptor positive allosteric modulator [62] Adalimumab – monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) [63] Adrogolide (ABT-431; DAS-431) – dopamine D1 and D5 receptor agonist [64] Alosetron (GR-68755; GR-68755C; Lotronex) – serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist [65] Anatabine – nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist and other actions [66] AP-521 – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist [67] ARR-17779 – α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist [68] AWD 52-39 (AWD-5239) – serotonin 5-HT2 receptor antagonist (LSD analogue) [69] Bezisterim (17α-ethynyl-5-androstene-3β,7β,17β-triol; HE-3286; NE-3107; Triolex) – undefined mechanism of action (synthetic androstenetriol analogue and anti-inflammatory) [70] Blarcamesine (AE-37; ANA001; ANAVEX 2-73) – sigma σ1 receptor agonist, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor modulator, and sodium and chloride channel modulator [71] Bradanicline (ATA-101; TC-0569; TC-5619; TC-5619-238) – α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist [72] Cebaracetam (CGS-25248; ZY-15119) – undefined mechanism of action [73] Certolizumab pegol (AutoClicks-Prefilled-Pen; CDP-870; Certolizumab; Cimzia; CIMZIA AutoClicks Prefilled Pen; Cimzia AutoClicks Prefilled Pen; CZP; PHA-738144; Simziya) – monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) [74] CI-933 – undefined mechanism of action [75] Encenicline – α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist [76] Ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid (AMR-101; eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester; EPA-Vascepa; ethyl eicosapentaenoate; ethyl icopenate; ethyl-EPA; icosapent ethyl; icosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester; LAX-101; LAX-101c; Miraxion; Vascepa; Vazkepa) – omega-3 fatty acid [77] Fasoracetam (AEVI-001; LAM-105; MDGN-001; NFC-1; NS-105) – various actions [78] GSK-2981710 – undefined mechanism of action [79] GTS-21 (DMXB-A) – α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist [80] Haloperidol ultra-low-dose (CLR-3001) – dopamine D2 and D3 receptor antagonist, sigma σ1 receptor antagonist, and other actions [81] HOE-065 – undefined mechanism of action (acetylcholine release enhancer) [82] Idalopirdine (DB-109; Lu AE58054; LU-AE58054; SGS-518) – serotonin 5-HT6 receptor antagonist [83] Idazoxan (CGP-25811A; RX-781094) – α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist [84] IDRA-21 – ionotropic glutamate AMPA receptor positive allosteric modulator [85] Ispronicline (AZD-3480; RJR-1734; TC-01734; TC-1734; TC-1734-112) – α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist [86] Itasetron (DAU-6215; U-98079) – serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist [87] Landipirdine (RO-5025181; RO5025181-000; SYN-120) – serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT6 receptor antagonist [88] Levafetamine (C-105; L-amfetamine; L-amphetamine; levamfetamine; levoamphetamine) – norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent (NDRA) [89] LX-6171 – proline transporter (SLC6A7) inhibitor [90] Mirisetron (SEC-579; WAY-100579; WAY-SEC-579) – serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist [91] Nerispirdine (HP-184) – acetylcholine release enhancer and K+/Na+ use-dependent channel blocker [92] NLX-101 (F15599; F-15599) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonist [93] NSI-566 (NSI-566RSC) – human-spinal-cord-derived neural stem cell therapy [94] NYX-458 – ionotropic glutamate NMDA receptor positive allosteric modulator [95] Pesampator (BIIB-104; PF-04958242; PF-4958242) – ionotropic glutamate AMPA receptor positive allosteric modulator [96] PF-6412562 (PF-06412562; PF-6412562; CVL-562; CVL562) – dopamine D1 and D5 receptor agonist [97] Phenserine (DWJ301; DWJ-301) – acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and amyloid precursor protein (APP) downregulator [98] Pozanicline (A-87089.0; ABT-089) – α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist [99] Razpipadon (PF-06669571; PF-6669571; PF06669571; CVL-871; PW-0464) – dopamine D1 and D5 receptor agonist [100] Research programme: histone deacetylase inhibitors - BioMarin (BMN-290) – histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and transcription factor stimulants [101] Research programme: metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 modulators - Addex Therapeutics (ADX-47273; ADX-50938; ADX-63365; CDPPB) – metabotropic glutamate mGlu5 receptor modulators [102] Research programme: mGluR2 modulators - Addex Pharmaceuticals/Ortho-McNeil (ADX-92639; JNJ-40068782) – metabotropic glutamate mGlu2 receptor modulators [103] Rimonabant (Acomplia; SR-141716; SR-141716A; Zimulti) – cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist [104] Rolofylline (KF-15372; KW-3902; MK-7418) – adenosine A1 receptor antagonist [105] RS-67333 – serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonist [106] Sabcomeline (BCI-224; CEB 242; Memric; SB-202026) – muscarinic acetylcholine M1 receptor agonist [107] SEP-227900 – D-amino acid oxidase inhibitor [108] SIB-1553A – nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist [109] SYN-114 (SYN114) – serotonin 5-HT6 receptor antagonist [110] Terbequinil (SR-25776) – GABAA receptor negative allosteric modulator [111] Testosterone transdermal spray (Luramist; testosterone MDTS) – androgen (androgen receptor agonist) [112] Thioperamide – histamine H3 receptor antagonist [113] Tianeptine/naloxone (naloxone/tianeptine; TNX-601) – combination of tianeptine (atypical μ-opioid receptor agonist and other actions) and naloxone (orally inactive μ-opioid receptor antagonist) [114] UBX-2089 – klotho modulator [115] Zelatriazin (TAK-041; NBI-1065846; NBI-846) – GPR139 agonist [116] Zervimesine (CT-1812; Elayta) – sigma σ2 receptor antagonist [117]
Clinically used drugs
Approved drugs Choline alfoscerate (choline alphoscerate; choline glycerophosphate; alpha-GPC; Brezal; Delecit; Gliatilin) – acetylcholine precursor [118] EGb 761 (GBE-761; Gingogink; Ginkgo biloba Tanakan; Tebonin; Tebonin konzent; Tramisal) – various actions (antioxidant and other actions) [119] Gingko mihuan (GMOL) – various actions (antioxidant and other actions) [120] Memantine (Akatinol; Axura; D-145; Ebixa; Memary; Namenda; Namenda XR; SUN-Y7017; SUNY-017) – ionotropic glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist and other actions [121]
See also Lists of investigational drugs Nootropic
References
External links AdisInsight - Springer