A member of a new class of compounds, Ampakine CX516 is designed to enhance memory and cognition.

"The mechanism of action (with Ampakine) is totally different from that of the acetyl cholinesterase class of drugs, the only FDA-approved treatment for Alzheimer's Disease," said Vincent F. Simmon, Ph.D., President and CEO of Cortex Pharmaceuticals.

The randomized, double-blind trial will include about 160 patients aged 55 to 85 with mild cognitive impairment. They will receive a fixed dose of CX516 or a placebo at various trial locations in the United States, France, Belgium, Great Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands.

The patients' abilities to recall a list of 15 words approximately 20 to 30 minutes after studying the list will be evaluated at baseline and on the last day of treatment.

They also will receive a post-treatment evaluation two weeks after their last treatment.

"We have previously observed that this class of compounds has the ability to promote improvements in memory that may last for several weeks after CX516 has been discontinued," Dr. Simmon said. "We are interested to see if those earlier observations can be repeated in patients with (mild cognitive impairment)."

Other Sources: Cortex Pharmaceuticals