In this research study investigators aim to learn more about a new drug called Protollin as a possible new treatment for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The primary goal is to assess the safety and tolerability.
In this research study investigators want to learn more about a new drug called nasal Protollin as a possible new treatment for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). In AD, there is accumulation in the brain of a toxic substance called amyloid. It is believed that this toxic substance causes brain cells to progressively waste away (degenerate) and die, causing a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills. Why amyloid accumulates is not completely understood. The aim of this treatment is to remove toxic amyloid from the brain and prevent further degeneration. Although nasal Protollin has been given as part of vaccination programs, this is the first time Protollin will be given nasally (through the nose) in AD patients. Investigators aim to see if this way of giving the Protollin is safe and whether it stimulates the body's white blood cells to remove toxic amyloid from the brain and ultimately improve cognition. This will be a dose escalating (gradually increasing the dose in different subjects) study, which means we want to find the highest dose of Protollin that is safe to take. Protollin is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that Protollin can only be used in research studies. This research study will compare Protollin to placebo. The placebo looks exactly like Protollin, but it does not contain any Protollin. During this study participants may get a placebo instead of Protollin. Placebos are used in research studies to see if the results are due to the study drug or due to other reasons.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
16
For the 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg dose groups, Protollin (450 μL per vial) in an aqueous buffer will be administered in two, 0.1 μL sprays, one per nostril. For the 1.5 mg dose group, Protollin (450 muL per vial) in an aqueous buffer will be administered in three, 0.1 μL sprays, two in one nostril and one in the other nostril.
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Safety and tolerability of ascending doses of nasal Protollin
Safety and tolerability of ascending doses of nasal Protollin following administration of two doses one week apart in subjects, 60-85 years inclusive with Early Symptomatic Alzheimer's Disease (29-20 MMSE classification). Safety will be assessed by physical examination (including evaluation of the nose and oropharynx), laboratory studies, EKG, and elicited and spontaneously reported signs and symptoms, using the FDA Guidance for Industry: Toxicity Grading Scale for Healthy Adult and Adolescent Volunteers Enrolled in Preventive Vaccine Clinical Trials (September 2007) for the evaluation of toxicities and reactogenicity. Tolerability will be assessed by the degree of severity of both spontaneously reported and elicited symptoms and associated signs, systemically and at the site of administration following administration of nasal Protollin, if thought by the investigator to be related or possibly related to its administration.
Time frame: Day 1 (enrollment) to 180 days (end of study)
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