NSI-189

evidence score

nootropic

Research Only

255 studies

NSI189nicotinamide-benzylpiperazine

NSI-189 is a novel benzylpiperazine-aminopyridine compound developed by Neuralstem Inc. specifically to stimulate hippocampal neurogenesis — growth of new neurons — in adult humans. Phase I demonstrated hippocampal volume increases (measurable on MRI) and Phase II trials in major depressive disorder showed mixed but promising results. The compound acts through an unknown mechanism to increase hippocampal stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Used experimentally for depression, cognitive enhancement, and post-traumatic brain injury recovery. Not approved. Available from research chemical vendors. Represents a genuinely novel mechanism with legitimate clinical data, though Phase II results were mixed.

Evidence

Moderate evidence

Safety

Unknown safety profile

Clinical Status

Phase II

Research Sync

Feb 19, 2026

Dosing

Typical

80 mg

40 mgRange160 mg

FrequencyOnce or twice daily oral

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Pharmacology

Half-life~2–3 hours (estimated)

OnsetNeurogenesis effects may take weeks to months; subjective cognitive effects reported within days by some users

DurationNeurogenesis benefits may persist after cessation (structural change)

Routes

oral

Evidence Score

Level B — Moderate

255 studies indexed · 1 meta-analysis

Scoring Factors

Volume(40%)~48/100

Quality(30%)~44/100

Sample Size(10%)~100/100

Consistency(10%)~100/100

Replication(5%)~100/100

Recency(5%)~100/100

Scores estimated from study counts. Exact breakdown computed after research sync.

Evidence Levels

AScore ≥75 with at least 1 meta-analysis and 3+ RCTs

BScore ≥50 with at least 1 RCT or meta-analysis

CScore ≥25 — observational or animal evidence only

DScore <25 — very limited or preclinical data

Plain-English Snapshot

NSI-189 is currently categorized as a nootropic compound.

Evidence is moderate (67/100): promising signal from 255 indexed studies, but context and population still matter.

Safety scoring is incomplete. Start conservatively and monitor carefully.

Core mechanism

Stimulates hippocampal neurogenesis via unknown mechanism; increases stem cell proliferation and differentiation; demonstrated hippocampal volume increase on MRI in Phase I

Practical Context

Strongest current signals

Level B: Development and preliminary testing of a secure large language model-based chatbot for brief alcohol counseling in young adults.
Level C: Lipid polymorphism of plant thylakoid membranes. The dynamic exchange model - facts and hypotheses.
Level D: The inhibitory effect of let-7e-5p in microglial exosomes on depression-associated neurogenesis is mediated through the blockade of the Wnt1/β-catenin signaling pathway, which can be effectively reversed by Quercetin treatment.