Objectives of the study are to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of two different doses of AVP-923 (capsules containing either 30 mg of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and 10 mg of quinidine sulfate \[AVP-923-30\] or 20 mg of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and 10 mg of quinidine sulfate \[AVP-923-20\]) when compared to placebo, for the treatment of PBA in a population of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or multiple sclerosis (MS) over a 12-week period. An additional objective is to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of the two different doses of AVP-923 in a subset of the study population. Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) is a condition characterized by involuntary, sudden and frequent episodes of laughing and/or crying out of proportion or incongruous to the underlying emotion of happiness or sadness Other terms used to describe this condition include emotional lability, emotionalism, emotional incontinence, emotional discontrol, excessive emotionalism, and pathological laughing and crying. The outbursts can occur spontaneously or in response to provocative stimuli such as questions or events. A body of evidence suggests that PBA can be modulated through pharmacologic intervention. Dextromethorphan (DM) is a low-affinity uncompetitive antagonist of the N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, reducing the level of excitatory activity. DM also acts at the phencyclidine-binding site, which is part of the NMDA receptor complex. DM is a sigma receptor agonist, suppressing the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. Quinidine (Q) is a known potent inhibitor of cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6), that decreases the metabolism of dextromethorphan and helps to achieve sustained and therapeutic levels of this drug.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
326
Dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DM) and quinidine sulfate (Q) capsules (AVP-923 capsules), containing DM 20 mg/ Q 10 mg, taken once daily for 1 week and then twice daily for 11 consecutive weeks to complete a 12-week period
Dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DM) and quinidine sulfate (Q) capsules (AVP-923 capsules), containing DM 30 mg/ Q 10 mg taken once daily for 1 week and then twice daily for 11 consecutive weeks to complete a 12-week period
Placebo capsules (identical in appearance to AVP-923 capsules being studied in this trial), taken once daily for 1 week and then twice daily for 11 consecutive weeks to complete a 12-week period
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Neuromuscular Research Center
Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
South Coast Clinical Trials
Anaheim, California, United States
UCI Medical Center
Irvine, California, United States
Center for Neurologic Study
La Jolla, California, United States
PBA Episode Rate Ratio (Post/Pre), Regression Adjusted
Episodes were counted each day and recorded in a daily diary. The outcome measure is the ratio of the episode rate over the 84-day treatment period to the rate during the baseline period, adjusted for study site, and underlying disease using longitudinal negative binomial regression.
Time frame: Baseline to Day 84
Mean Change From Baseline in CNS-LS Total Score by Visit
Center for Neurologic Studies-Lability Scale (CNS-LS) is an instrument for the measurement of PBA that has been validated for the use in patients with ALS and MS. It is a 7-item self-report questionnaire that measures the frequency and severity of PBA episodes, including assessments of labile laughter and labile tearfulness,and provides a score for total PBA (total score can range from 7-35). The following 5-point scoring was used: 1=Applies never, 2=Applies rarely, 3=Applies occasionally, 4=Applies frequently, 5=Applies most of the time. A score of 13 or higher may suggest PBA, and the higher the score the more severe the episodes.
Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Day 29, Day 57, Day 84
Mean Change From Baseline to Day 84 in Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-Q) Frequency and Severity Score (EE Population)
The NPI is a retrospective (to 1 month) caregiver-informant interview assessing frequency and severity of 12 neuropsychiatric symptom domains. The NPI score is based on the sum of the severity ratings (0=absent, 1=mild, 3=severe). The 12 symptom domains include delusions, hallucinations, agitation/aggression, dysphoria/depression, anxiety, euphoria/elation, apathy/indifference, disinhibition, irritability/lability, aberrant motor behaviors, nighttime behavioral disturbances, and appetite/eating abnormalities. The NPI severity score is based on severity ratings (0=absent, 1=mild to 3=severe).
Time frame: Baseline to Day 84
Mean Change From Baseline to Day 84 in Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-Q) Frequency and Severity Score (ITT Population)
The NPI is a retrospective (to 1 month) caregiver-informant interview assessing frequency and severity of 12 neuropsychiatric symptom domains. The NPI score is based on the sum of the severity ratings (0=absent, 1=mild, 3=severe). The 12 symptom domains include delusions, hallucinations, agitation/aggression, dysphoria/depression, anxiety, euphoria/elation, apathy/indifference, disinhibition, irritability/lability, aberrant motor behaviors, nighttime behavioral disturbances, and appetite/eating abnormalities. The NPI severity score is based on severity ratings (0=absent, 1=mild to 3=severe).
Time frame: Baseline to Day 84
Mean Change From Baseline at Day 84 in SF-36 (Short-Form) Health Survey Medical Outcome Score by Category
The SF-36 is designed to examine a person's perceived health status. The SF-36 includes one multi-item scale measuring eight health concepts: vitality, physical functioning, bodily pain, general health perceptions, physical role-, emotional role-, social role functioning, and mental health. Answers to each question are scored and summed to produce raw scale scores for each health concept which are then transformed to a 0 - 100 scale, a high score defining a more favorable health state. An aggregate summary measure is calculated by averaging the scores from the eight health concepts.
Time frame: Baseline and Day 84
Mean Change From Baseline at Day 84 in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) Total Score
The BDI-II is a 21-item self report instrument intended to assess the existence and severity of symptoms of depression, summed to give a single score. The BDI-II uses a 4-point for each item ranging from 0 to 3. A total score of 0-13 is considered minimal range, 14 to 19 is mild, 20 to 28 is moderate, and 29 to 63 is severe.
Time frame: Baseline and Day 84
Mean Change From Baseline to Day 84 in Pain Rating Scale (PRS) of MS Subjects
Subjects with MS were instructed to also record daily the pain they experienced using the PRS. After evaluating the subject's ability to comply with these requirements, the investigator determined if a caregiver should complete the study diary and assessments. Subjects rated their pain over the past 12 hours on a scale of 0 to 10 (0=none, 10=worst pain ever experienced).
Time frame: Baseline, Day 15, Day 29, Day 57, Day 84
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UCLA School of Medicine
Los Angeles, California, United States
The Forbes Norris MDA/ALS Research Center - California Pacific Medical Center
San Francisco, California, United States
The ALS Center at UCSF
San Francisco, California, United States
University of Colorado at Denver & Health Science Center
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Neuroscience Center
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
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