Eligibility Criteria ICMJE

Inclusion Criteria: male/female between 50 and 89 years (inclusive)

declining cognitive function of at least 3 months duration interfering with complex activities of daily living

normal basic activities of daily independent living

Clinical Dementia Rating scale score equal to 0.5

score at least one point above the lowest possible score on 7 out of 8 tests in the cognitive battery at both Selection Visit and Baseline Visit Exclusion Criteria: general anesthetics within 3 months of selection visit

history of severe allergic drug reaction(s)

history of drug or alcohol dependence (DSM IV defined) within the last 12 months

any drug prescribed to activate cerebral metabolism, taken within 1 week of screening or/and concomitantly

concomitant intake of anticoagulent medications

concomitant intake or intake within 1 week before screening of drug that might affect cognitive function or central nervous system

history of dementia, psychiatric or neurological disorders, mental retardation, learning disabilities and stroke

current depression

impaired renal function, thyroid function or neurological degeneration

any gastrointestinal dysfunction that might interfere with the absorption or elimination of the study drug

insulin-dependant diabetes mellitus

bleeding disorders or disturbance in hemostatic function.