Nootropic
NSI-189
SaveA benzylpiperazine-aminopyridine compound developed by Neuralstem Inc. that stimulates hippocampal neurogenesis in vitro. Studied in Phase II trials for major depressive disorder.
Quick verdict
Phase II depression trials showed patient-reported improvement but failed clinician-rated primary endpoints. Neurogenic mechanism is novel but clinical utility remains unproven.
Evidence score
A rough internal score reflecting quantity, quality, and consistency of human evidence. Not a clinical recommendation.
What the research shows
Phase I showed safety and tolerability. Phase II for MDD showed improvement on patient-reported scales (SDQ) but not on the primary MADRS endpoint. Hippocampal volume increases were observed in a small imaging substudy.
Benefits
- Stimulates hippocampal neurogenesis in preclinical models
- Showed hippocampal volume increase in a small substudy
- Patient-reported mood improvement in Phase II
Dosage notes
Phase II used 40 mg/day orally. Self-experimenters report 20–40 mg/day.
Side effects
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- GI discomfort
Who should be cautious
Investigational compound — not approved for any indication. Long-term safety unknown. Development status uncertain.
What this page cannot tell you
Failing the primary endpoint in Phase II is a significant setback. Patient-reported improvements could reflect expectation effects.
Leaderboard scores
- Mood40
- Memory30
- Stress25
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