The objectives as stated in the study protocol were as follows:

• To investigate the safety and tolerability of three multiple dose regimens of BIA 3-202 (50 mg twice a day, 100 mg twice a day and 200 mg twice a day in healthy young male volunteers). Part A
• To characterise the steady state pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of BIA 3-202 in healthy young males. Part A
• To investigate the safety and tolerability of a single multiple dose regimen (dose to be determined from Part A) of BIA 3-202, in healthy elderly volunteers. Part B
• To characterise the steady state pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of a single multiple dose regimen (dose to be determined from Part A) of BIA 3- 202 in healthy elderly volunteers. Part B

This was designed as a single centre, phase I, double-blind, randomised, placebocontrolled study of three multiple rising doses in three sequential groups of 8 young male healthy volunteers (Part A) and a single group of healthy elderly volunteers (Part B).

In Part B, 12 healthy elderly volunteers were to be enrolled. Ten were to be randomly allocated to BIA 3-202 and two to placebo.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult males aged 18-35 years, with a body mass index (BMI) of 19-28 kg/m2.
• Subjects who were healthy as determined by pre-study medical history, physical examination and 12-lead ECG.
• Subjects who had clinical laboratory tests acceptable to the investigator.
• Subjects who were negative for HbsAg, anti-HCV and HIV I and II tests at screening.
• Subjects who were negative for drugs of abuse and alcohol tests at screening and admission.
• Subjects who were non-smokers or who smoked less than 10 cigarettes or equivalent per day.
• Subjects who were able and willing to give written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects who did not conform to the above inclusion criteria.
• Subjects who had a clinically relevant history or presence of respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, haematological, lymphatic, neurological, cardiovascular, psychiatric, musculoskeletal, genitourinary, immunological, dermatological, connective tissue diseases or disorders.
• Subjects who had a clinically relevant surgical history.
• Subjects who had a clinically relevant family history.
• Subjects who had a history of relevant atopy.
• Subjects who had a history of relevant drug hypersensitivity.
• Subjects who had a history of alcoholism.
• Subjects who had a history of drug abuse.
• Subjects who consumed more than 28 units of alcohol a week.
• Subjects who had a significant infection or known inflammatory process on screening and/or admission.
• Subjects who had acute gastrointestinal symptoms at the time of screening and/or admission (e.g. nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, heartburn).
• Subjects who had an acute infection such as influenza at the time of screening and/or admission.
• Subjects who had used prescription drugs within 4 weeks of first dosing.
• Subjects who had used over the counter medication, excluding routine vitamins but including mega dose vitamin therapy, within one week of first dosing.
• Subjects who had used any investigational drug and/or participated in any clinical trial within 3 months of their first admission to this study.
• Subjects who had previously received BIA 3-202.
• Subjects who had donated and/or received any blood or blood products within 3 months prior to screening.
• Subjects who were vegetarians, vegans and/or had medical dietary restrictions.
• Subjects who could not communicate reliably with the investigator.
• Subjects who were unlikely to co-operate with the requirements of the study.
• Subjects who were unwilling or unable to give written informed consent.