Background:
- Alzheimer s disease (AD) is a brain disease that impairs memory, cognitive abilities and
the ability to function independently. It is the most common cause of dementia in older
people. It is caused by abnormal proteins in the brain that affect how neurons communicate
with each other. Researchers are looking for drugs that can slow down the disease or treat
its symptoms. One drug, called bisnorcymserine (BNC), may help improve brain function and
symptoms in people with AD. BNC is designed to block a chemical that affects how neurons
communicate with each other. Researchers want to see how BNC works in healthy older
volunteers.
Objectives:
- To look at how the body processes bisnorcymserine taken by mouth and how safe it is for
healthy older volunteers.
Eligibility:
- Healthy volunteers at least 55 years of age.
Design:
- Participants will be screened with a physical exam, medical history, and blood and urine
tests.
- Within 3 weeks from the screening visit, participants will come to the National
Institute on Aging clinical unit for a 2-night stay. On the morning of the second day,
they will take either a BNC capsule or a placebo. They will not know which tablet they
are taking.
- Blood samples will be collected frequently throughout the second and third days of the
study visit. The last blood sample will be collected about 32 hours after taking the
study capsule. Participants will have heart function tests and other exams during the
visit. Once the tests are done, they will leave the clinical center.
- Participants will have a final follow-up visit about 1 week after leaving the clinical
center.