A Pilot open labeled study of Tacrolimus in Alzheimer's Disease.
This study will investigate the neurobiological effect of tacrolimus in persons with MCI and dementia due to AD by measuring biomarkers of target engagement in immune response, amyloid-b, tau and neurodegeneration in CSF, functional connectivity with MRI and EEG, and cognition. Study objectives include:
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Oral Immunosuppressant
CSF biomarkers of target engagement, AD pathology, and neurodegeneration
Evaluate effect of tacrolimus on molecular markers of target engagement (calcineurin/NFAT mediated inflammatory markers IL-2, IL-6, IFNβ and YKL-40), AD pathology (amyloid-β, tau, phospho-tau) and neurodegeneration (neurofilament-light, neurogranin). We will measure change from baseline in all CSF biomarkers following 12 weeks of steady treatment.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Blood biomarkers of target engagement, AD pathology, and neurodegeneration.
Evaluate effect of tacrolimus on molecular markers of target engagement (calcineurin/NFAT mediated inflammatory markers IL-2, IL-6, IFNβ and YKL-40), AD pathology (amyloid-β, tau, phospho-tau) and neurodegeneration (neurofilament-light, neurogranin). We will measure change from baseline in all blood biomarkers following 12 weeks of steady treatment.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Structural neuroimaging of Hippocampal volume.
Evaluate effect of tacrolimus on size of different brain regions using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). We will measure change from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Functional neuroimaging of default mode network connectivity.
Evaluate effect of tacrolimus on blood flow to different brain regions using functional MRI (fMRI). We will measure change from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Electroencephalograms (EEG) spectral power
Evaluate effect of tacrolimus on resting state EEG frequency using the linear power spectral density technique. We will measure change from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
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Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Evaluate effect of tacrolimus on major domains of cognition (score range 0-30, high is better). We will measure change from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPIQ)
Evaluate effect of tacrolimus on neuropsychiatric symptoms as rated by a study partner/informant (score range 0-80, high is worse). We will measure change from baseline after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment.
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks
Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ)
Evaluate effect of tacrolimus on ability to daily functional ability as reported by study partner/informant (score range (0-30, low is better). We will measure change from baseline after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment.
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks
Repeated Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status
Evaluate the effect of tacrolimus on several domains of cognitive function (score range 40-160, higher is better). We will measure change from baseline after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment.
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks