I believe he's using modafanil in the sense of broadly neuroprotective.
However selegine in microdoses is a true neuroprotective in that sense..
Then he's using a strange and novel definition of 'nootropic'. 'Neuroprotective'? Heck, lithium is neuroprotective at some doses, but I don't see many people suggesting its use.
Modafinil has too many side effects to be considered nootropic. It is a cognitive enhancer.