Safety Study of R(+)Pramipexole to Treat Early Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial

Official title: Safety/Tolerability and Effects on Cognitive Impairment, Impaired Cerebral Cortical Metabolism and Oxidative Stress of R(+)Pramipexole Administered to Subjects With Early Alzheimer's Disease

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

By doing this study, researchers will examine the safety and tolerability of R-pramipexole in participants with Alzheimer's disease. This study will also examine the body and brain's response to the study drug by measuring the amount of injury to the cells (oxidative stress) in the blood and spinal fluid and brain imaging before and after treatment.

Clinical Trial Description

Subjects will be recruited from the Univ of Kansas Alzheimer's Center and will provide informed consent about participating.

R(+)-pramipexole will be provided as Good Manufacturing Practice powder and taken as a liquid and start at one teaspoon (5 ml) twice a day for a total dose of 100 mg/day. After 4 weeks, the dose will double (two teaspoons twice a day, or a total of 200mg/day). Four weeks later the dose will be increased again to 2 1/2 teaspoons twice a day (total of 300mg/day) where it will remain for the remaining 16 weeks of study treatment. Prior to each increase, participants and their study partners will be interviewed regarding any possible side effects or problems. These findings will be discussed with Dr. Burns prior to increasing the study drug dose. The dose will only increase if the participant is not having side effects.

Primary Outcome Measure:

1.Number of Patients with Adverse Events [Time Frame: Every 2 months] [Safety Issue: Yes]

Labwork will be performed every two months. There will be frequent contact with subjects to assess for adverse events.

Secondary Outcome Measures:

Reduction of Oxidative Stress [Time Frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks after taking study drug] [Safety Issue: No]

A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) will be performed to collect cerebral spinal fluid, which will be assayed for isoprostane levels before and after treatment.

Changes in cerebral glucose metabolism [Time Frame: Baseline and at 24 weeks after taking drug] [Safety Issue: No]

Positron Emission Tomography Scan will be performed. Changes in cerebral glucose metabolism as a proxy for mitochondrial respiration will be assayed at baseline and 24 weeks. Correlations will be sought with assays of oxidative stress reduction to see if greater reductions in brain oxidative stress are reflected in elevations of cortical 2-fluorodeoxyglucose.

Effects on Cognitive Performance [Time Frame: Baseline and then 6 months thereafter] [Safety Issue: Yes]

Quantitative assessment of cognitive status will be taken at baseline and at end of 6 month dosing period. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Alzheimer Disease
• Alzheimer's Disease

• NCT number: NCT01388478
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Virginia Commonwealth University
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Start date: July 2011
• Completion date: April 2014