Actébral® was a psychotonic brain stimulant used to treat behavior troubles, but also mild memory troubles linked to depression and psycho-motor alteration in elderly people. It was considered as an activator of cerebral metabolism, quite useful in geriatric psychiatry. The active principle of Actébral® was cyprodenate (also known as cyprodemanol, or 2-(N,N-dimethylaminoethanol)-cyclohexylpropionate-meleate acid). It is a long-acting ester capable of crossing the hemo-encephalic barrier to reach the brain compartment. This is orally active psychotonic brain activator has been largely used in the 1970-90s, notably for counteracting the effects of benzodiazepine tranquillizer drugs. The major brain metabolite of cyprodenate is dimethylethanolamine (DMEA or deanol) which is a precursor of choline and a well-known stimulant of the central nervous system. Actébral® is no longer used today
