Ensaculin (KA-672) is a drug from the coumarin family, which has been researched as a potential treatment for dementia. It acts on a number of receptor systems, being both a weak NMDA antagonist and a 5HT1A agonist.[1][2] Animal studies have shown promising nootropic effects,[3][4] although efficacy in humans has yet to be proven. It was well tolerated in human trials, with the main side effect being orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure).[5]
^Lishko PV, Maximyuk OP, Chatterjee SS, Nöldner M, Krishtal OA (December 1998). "The putative cognitive enhancer KA-672.HCl is an uncompetitive voltage-dependent NMDA receptor antagonist". NeuroReport. 9 (18): 4193–7. doi:10.1097/00001756-199812210-00035. PMID9926872. S2CID29960822.
^Winter JC, Helsley SE, Rabin RA (July 1998). "The discriminative stimulus effects of KA 672, a putative cognitive enhancer: evidence for a 5-HT1A component". Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. 60 (3): 703–7. doi:10.1016/S0091-3057(98)00043-4. PMID9678654. S2CID6493994.
^Sourgens H, Hoerr R, Biber A, Steinbrede H, Derendorf H (April 1998). "KA 672-HCl, a neuronal activator against dementia: tolerability, safety, and preliminary pharmacokinetics after single and multiple oral doses in healthy male and female volunteers". Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 38 (4): 373–81. doi:10.1002/j.1552-4604.1998.tb04438.x. PMID9590466. S2CID32558296.