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Antiviral Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease

Phase 2
Waitlist Available
Led By Davangere Devanand, MD
Research Sponsored by Columbia University
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
For patients diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment and CDR score of 0.5, if these patients have biomarkers of AD neuropathology with either a positive amyloid PET scan, positive fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET scan of the brain, or positive findings for AD in CSF, they will be eligible for the study.
Males and females. Females must be postmenopausal defined as 12 consecutive months without menstruation.
Must not have
Renal failure as determined by an estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) < 44 ml/min/1.73m2.
Clinical stroke with residual neurological deficits.
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up week 0, week 12, week 26, week 52, week 78

Summary

This trial will study whether the U.S.A marketed generic anti-viral drug Valtrex (valacyclovir, 500mg oral tablet) can be repurposed to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for mild Alzheimer's patients who test positive for herpes simplex virus. They must be able to consent, have a caregiver, and not have severe medical conditions or other major neurological disorders. Participants should not have had significant radiation exposure in the last year or take high doses of benzodiazepines.
What is being tested?
The study tests if Valacyclovir (an anti-viral drug) at 4 grams per day can treat Alzheimer's disease compared to a placebo over 18 months. It involves 130 participants with mild AD, split into two groups by chance, one receiving the drug and the other a placebo.
What are the potential side effects?
Valacyclovir may cause side effects like headache, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, dizziness. Rarely it might lead to serious issues such as kidney problems or increased risk of bleeding.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I have mild memory issues and tests show signs of Alzheimer's disease.
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I am a man or a woman who has not had a period for at least 12 months.
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I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
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I cannot have an MRI due to metal implants, a pacemaker, or severe claustrophobia.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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My kidney function is reduced with a GFR less than 44 ml/min.
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I have had a stroke and still experience its effects.
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I do not have a sudden, severe, and unstable illness.
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I do not have Parkinson's, MS, CNS infection, Huntington's, or ALS.
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I have not been exposed to radiation levels above the FDA limit in the last year.
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I have been diagnosed with a mental health condition like schizophrenia or major depression.
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My dementia is not primarily caused by Alzheimer's disease.
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I do not have thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or hemolytic uremic syndrome.
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I take 2 mg or more daily of a medication similar to lorazepam.
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I cannot have an MRI due to metal implants, a pacemaker, or severe claustrophobia.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~week 0, week 12, week 26, week 52, week 78
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and week 0, week 12, week 26, week 52, week 78 for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Change in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - Cognition (ADAS-COG11, modified version) scores from baseline to 78 weeks.
Secondary study objectives
Change in Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study - Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) scores from baseline to 78 weeks.
Change in total 18F-Florbetapir brain uptake from baseline to 78 weeks.
Change in total 18F-MK-6240 brain uptake from baseline to 78 weeks.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: ValacyclovirActive Control1 Intervention
The oral valacyclovir will be distributed in 500mg caplets. Patients will take 8 caplets per day.
Group II: PlaceboPlacebo Group1 Intervention
The oral placebo (sugar pill) will be distributed in 500mg caplets. Patients will take 8 caplets per day.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Columbia UniversityLead Sponsor
1,486 Previous Clinical Trials
2,663,060 Total Patients Enrolled
New York State Psychiatric InstituteLead Sponsor
478 Previous Clinical Trials
153,853 Total Patients Enrolled
National Institute on Aging (NIA)NIH
1,788 Previous Clinical Trials
28,184,422 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Placebo Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT03282916 — Phase 2
Alzheimer's Disease Research Study Groups: Placebo, Valacyclovir
Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial 2023: Placebo Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT03282916 — Phase 2
Placebo 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT03282916 — Phase 2
~0 spots leftby Dec 2024