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Coluracetam (BCI-540 / MKC-231) — high-affinity choline-uptake enhancer
A racetam-class nootropic and high-affinity choline-uptake (HACU) enhancer studied preclinically for memory and briefly in a Phase-2 depression/anxiety program that produced only modest, largely unpublished results. Almost all of the evidence is rodent and in-vitro; there is no peer-reviewed human efficacy data, and it is sold grey-market — not a dietary supplement.
Research compound — not a dietary supplement
Coluracetam (BCI-540) is a research compound, not a regulated dietary supplement. It is sold for research or off-label use. The evidence below is largely preclinical (animal and in-vitro) or early-stage, so no evidence score is assigned. This page is provided for transparency and education — it is not a recommendation to use. Consult a qualified healthcare provider, and be aware that purity, dosing, and legal status vary by jurisdiction.
What the evidence says
Most Coluracetam (BCI-540) studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from mixed-quality studies published 1994–2015.
Based on 6 studies
Confidence
Low confidenceBy outcome
Coluracetam (MKC-231) has a reproducible preclinical story — it enhances high-affinity choline uptake and reversed memory deficits in cholinergically-lesioned rodents — but the evidence stops there: the data are almost entirely rodent and in-vitro, the one human program (a Phase-2 depression/anxiety trial) produced only modest, unpublished results, there is no peer-reviewed human efficacy data, and it is an unapproved grey-market research chemical.
Coluracetam (originally MKC-231, later licensed as BCI-540) is a racetam-family compound first developed in Japan as a 'high-affinity choline-uptake enhancer.' Unlike most racetams, its defining mechanism is acceleration of high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) — the rate-limiting step of acetylcholine synthesis — by acting on the choline transporter CHT1, which preclinical work suggests increases acetylcholine synthesis and release in the hippocampus.
In rodent models of cholinergic damage (AF64A lesioning), MKC-231 reversed working-memory and water-maze learning deficits and, in cell culture, attenuated glutamate excitotoxicity.
On the strength of that mechanism it was advanced by BrainCells Inc as a Phase-2 candidate for major depressive disorder with comorbid anxiety; that program produced only modest results, was not published in peer-reviewed form, and was not advanced — so there is essentially no peer-reviewed human efficacy data for coluracetam.
The honest picture: this is a mechanistically interesting, mostly-preclinical (rodent and in-vitro) cholinergic compound with a single small unpublished human program behind it. It is not approved anywhere, is not a dietary supplement, and is sold on the grey market as a research chemical.
It is not a longevity drug and has no lifespan or healthspan data. The score reflects a plausible cholinergic mechanism and reproducible rodent memory data set against the complete absence of published human efficacy and unregulated supply.
Enhances HACU via the CHT1 transporter — the rate-limiting step of acetylcholine synthesis.
Restores hippocampal acetylcholine synthesis and release in cholinergically-lesioned rodents.
Attenuated glutamate excitotoxicity in cultured cortical neurons in vitro.
How Coluracetam (BCI-540) works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
No published human efficacy data — do not rely on this compound for a clinical effect.
Theoretical interaction — coluracetam acts on the cholinergic system; combining with cholinesterase inhibitors or anticholinergics could alter acetylcholine signalling. No human interaction data exist.
Tip: Anecdotal among racetam users; add a choline source. Not characterized in human trials.
Tip: No human safety data — long-term effects are simply not characterized.
Coluracetam (BCI-540) has an evidence score of 3.2/10 — emerging evidence based on 6 indexed studies. A racetam-class nootropic and high-affinity choline-uptake (HACU) enhancer studied preclinically for memory and briefly in a Phase-2 depression/anxiety program that produced only modest, largely unpublished results. Almost all of the evidence is rodent and in-vitro; there is no peer-reviewed human efficacy data, and it is sold grey-market — not a dietary supplement. Representative study: PMID 7710736.
The commonly studied dose of Coluracetam (BCI-540) is No clinically validated dose exists. Grey-market nootropic use commonly cites 5–20 mg, but this is not supported by published human efficacy data.. Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
The best time to take Coluracetam (BCI-540) is in the morning. It can be taken on an empty stomach. No validated human dosing protocol exists.
Coluracetam (BCI-540) should be used with caution — talk to a healthcare provider before taking it. The most commonly reported side effects are headache, unknown long-term effects. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Pregnancy and breastfeeding; Any use without medical supervision — unapproved research chemical.
Alpha-GPC
Likely helpsCrosses the blood-brain barrier to fuel acetylcholine synthesis — supports focus, memory, and power output in athletes.
Citicoline
Probably helpsDual precursor to acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine — enhances memory, focus, and brain cell membrane repair.
Huperzine A
Likely helpsAcetylcholinesterase inhibitor from club moss, studied mainly for Alzheimer's and dementia; cognitive evidence is mixed and limited by trial quality.
Phosphatidylserine
Mostly mechanism / observationalKey brain membrane phospholipid that facilitates neurotransmitter release, memory formation, and post-exercise cortisol reduction.
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Reviewed by Dr. Baher Al Hakim · Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 6 studies · how we score · editorial policy
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
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