NCT04405596

Brief Summary

This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study investigating whether the medication Ambroxol is safe,effectiveness and well tolerated for the treatment of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). Currently the main treatments for patients with LBD target symptom management. However, none of the medications treat the underlying cause of the disease, which includes the accumulation of protein in the brain. Therefore, even if patients respond well to symptomatic treatment, they continue to deteriorate. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to make sure Ambroxol is safe to take long term and to test the effects of Ambroxol in treating the cognitive impairments associated with LBD by modifying the underlying causes of the disease. There will be a total of 15 people participating this this study, which will last 52 weeks. Over the study period patients will undergo clinical, neuropsychological and neuroimaging assessment to assess changes.

Trial Health

63
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
15

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for phase_1

Timeline
8mo left

Started Jan 2025

Typical duration for phase_1

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress67%
Jan 2025Jan 2027

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

April 29, 2020

Completed
29 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

May 28, 2020

Completed
4.6 years until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 1, 2025

Completed
1 year until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 1, 2026

Completed
1 year until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 1, 2027

Expected
Last Updated

December 13, 2023

Status Verified

December 1, 2023

Enrollment Period

1 year

First QC Date

April 29, 2020

Last Update Submit

December 12, 2023

Conditions

Keywords

Lewy Body DiseaseAmbroxolCognitionDementia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (12)

  • Change in Mini Mental State Examination score from baseline over time

    Monitor safety using frequent cognitive evaluations using the mini mental state examination. Lower scores are indicative of worsening cognitive impairment \[score range: 0-30\]

    Baseline, week 4, week 10, week 18, week 26, week 34, week 42, week 52

  • Change in the incidence, nature and severity of AE's and SAE's from baseline

    Change in the number of participants with AE's and SAE's

    Baseline, week 4, week 10, week 18, week 26, week 34, week 42, week 52

  • Change in the number of participants with treatment discontinuations and study discontinuation due to AEs from baseline

    Change from baseline in the number of participants with treatment and/or study discontinuation will be used to demonstrate safety and tolerability

    Baseline, week 4, week 10, week 18, week 26, week 34, week 42, week 52

  • Change in the number of participants with electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities

    Change from baseline in the number of participants with clinically significant ECG abnormalities (QT interval) to demonstrate safety

    Baseline, week 4, week 10, week 18, week 26, week 34, week 42, week 52

  • Change from baseline the number of participants with abnormal changes in hemodynamic values while seated

    Changes in hemodynamic values from baseline over time to demonstrate safety

    Baseline, week 4, week 10, week 18, week 26, week 34, week 42, week 52

  • Change from baseline the number of participants with abnormal changes in hemodynamic values while standing

    Changes in hemodynamic values from baseline over time to demonstrate safety

    Baseline, week 4, week 10, week 18, week 26, week 34, week 42, week 52

  • Change in blood analyses from baseline over time

    Change from baseline in number of participants with abnormal changes in clinical laboratory blood tests from baseline over time for safety

    Baseline, week 4, week 10, week 18, week 26, week 34, week 42, week 52

  • Change in urine analyses from baseline over time

    Change from baseline in number of participants with abnormal changes in clinical laboratory urine tests from baseline over time for safety

    Baseline, week 4, week 10, week 18, week 26, week 34, week 42, week 52

  • Change from baseline in plasma concentrations of Ambroxol from blood sample

    Change in plasma Ambroxol concentrations from blood sample from baseline

    Baseline, week 4, week 10, week 26, week 52

  • Change from baseline in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of Ambroxol at specified time points

    Change in Ambroxol concentrations from cerebrospinal fluid sample from baseline

    Baseline, week 10, week 52

  • Change from baseline in enzyme β-Glucocerebrosidase (GCase) concentration levels in CSF

    Change in GCase concentration in the CSF from baseline

    Baseline, week 10, week 52

  • Change from baseline in enzyme β-Glucocerebrosidase (GCase) concentration levels in white blood cells

    Change in white blood cell GCase concentrations from baseline

    Baseline, week 4, week 10, week 26, week 52

Secondary Outcomes (13)

  • Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS)

    Baseline, week 26, and week 52

  • Clinician's Global Impression of Change (CGIC)

    Baseline, week 26, and week 52

  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

    Baseline, week 26, and week 52

  • Trail making test A and B to assess cognitive function

    Baseline, week 26, and week 52

  • Parkinson's disease - Cognitive rating scale to assess cognitive function

    Baseline, week 26, and week 52

  • +8 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Ambroxol

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants randomized to the 1350 mg/day group will begin with a dose of 450 mg, increasing bi-weekly to a dose of 1350 mg/day.

Drug: Ambroxol Hydrochloride

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants receive capsules visually identical to the experimental groups but without active ingredients.

Other: Placebo

Interventions

The treatment regimen consists of a titration phase and a maintenance phase. Participants begin the titration phase (Weeks 1 and 2) taking 6 capsules a day (450mg or 0 mg) divided BID (3 capsules in the morning and 3 capsules in the evening). The first medication dose will be taken at the end of Baseline visit and in the presence of the study Neurologist. Possible side effects will be observed for 30 minutes. Medication dose will increase bi-weekly to 12 capsules on Weeks 3 and 4, and 18 capsules on Weeks 5 and 6 divided BID. At the end of titration (Week 5) participants will have reached a maximum of 1350mg or 0mg per day, depending on group allocation. In the maintenance phase, participants will remain in their maximum dose (1350mg or 0mg) from Week 5 to Week 52 (End of Trial).

Also known as: Mucosolvan
Ambroxol
PlaceboOTHER

The treatment regimen consists of a titration phase and a maintenance phase. Participants begin the titration phase (Weeks 1 and 2) taking 6 capsules a day (450mg or 0 mg) divided BID (3 capsules in the morning and 3 capsules in the evening). The first medication dose will be taken at the end of Baseline visit and in the presence of the study Neurologist. Possible side effects will be observed for 30 minutes. Medication dose will increase bi-weekly to 12 capsules on Weeks 3 and 4, and 18 capsules on Weeks 5 and 6 divided BID. At the end of titration (Week 5) participants will have reached a maximum of 1350mg or 0mg per day, depending on group allocation. In the maintenance phase, participants will remain in their maximum dose (1350mg or 0mg) from Week 5 to Week 52 (End of Trial).

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

Age50 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Probable diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia
  • Age greater than 50 years old
  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score: 24-18
  • Patients must have a responsible caregiver = 4days/week
  • Must be on a stable dose of medications for parkinsonism (levodopa, dopaminergic agonist) and cognition (cholinesterase inhibitors) and psychiatric (i.e. antidepressants, antipsychotic) for at least 3 months prior to the study

You may not qualify if:

  • Evidence of stroke or other neurological condition
  • Any other serious underlying condition or brain disorder that can account in part of in full for the clinical presentation (i.e. cancer or unstable cardiac disease etc.)
  • Contraindication to MRI e.g. presence of metal fragments in head or eye, implanted electrical devices or conductive implants or devices (pacemakers, neurostimulators).
  • Unable to undergo DAT-scan
  • Depression that is, in the opinion of the investigator, significant enough to interfere with neuropsychology and safety assessments
  • Females who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to conceive within the study period
  • Concurrent treatment with oral anticoagulants (including Vitamin K agonists and Novel Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs)) within 4 weeks of screening or anticipated during the 52 week double-blind and open label periods. Specifically, Apixaban, Dabigatran, Edoxaban, Fondaparinux, Rivaroxaban, and Warfarin are prohibited concomitant medications. Exceptions: antiplatelet agents such as Aspirin, Clopidogrel, and Aggrenox.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Parkwood Institute

London, Ontario, N6C0A7, Canada

Location

Related Publications (22)

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  • Gomperts SN. Lewy Body Dementias: Dementia With Lewy Bodies and Parkinson Disease Dementia. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2016 Apr;22(2 Dementia):435-63. doi: 10.1212/CON.0000000000000309.

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  • Balducci C, Pierguidi L, Persichetti E, Parnetti L, Sbaragli M, Tassi C, Orlacchio A, Calabresi P, Beccari T, Rossi A. Lysosomal hydrolases in cerebrospinal fluid from subjects with Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord. 2007 Jul 30;22(10):1481-1484. doi: 10.1002/mds.21399.

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  • Gegg ME, Burke D, Heales SJ, Cooper JM, Hardy J, Wood NW, Schapira AH. Glucocerebrosidase deficiency in substantia nigra of parkinson disease brains. Ann Neurol. 2012 Sep;72(3):455-63. doi: 10.1002/ana.23614.

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  • Laoag-Fernandez JB, Fernandez AM, Maruo T. Antenatal use of ambroxol for the prevention of infant respiratory distress syndrome. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2000 Aug;26(4):307-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2000.tb01327.x.

    PMID: 11049243BACKGROUND
  • Luan Z, Li L, Higaki K, Nanba E, Suzuki Y, Ohno K. The chaperone activity and toxicity of ambroxol on Gaucher cells and normal mice. Brain Dev. 2013 Apr;35(4):317-22. doi: 10.1016/j.braindev.2012.05.008. Epub 2012 Jun 7.

    PMID: 22682976BACKGROUND
  • Luerti M, Lazzarin A, Corbella E, Zavattini G. An alternative to steroids for prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS): multicenter controlled study to compare ambroxol and betamethasone. J Perinat Med. 1987;15(3):227-38. doi: 10.1515/jpme.1987.15.3.227.

    PMID: 3323457BACKGROUND
  • Maegawa GH, Tropak MB, Buttner JD, Rigat BA, Fuller M, Pandit D, Tang L, Kornhaber GJ, Hamuro Y, Clarke JT, Mahuran DJ. Identification and characterization of ambroxol as an enzyme enhancement agent for Gaucher disease. J Biol Chem. 2009 Aug 28;284(35):23502-16. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.012393. Epub 2009 Jul 3.

    PMID: 19578116BACKGROUND
  • Malerba M, Ragnoli B. Ambroxol in the 21st century: pharmacological and clinical update. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2008 Aug;4(8):1119-29. doi: 10.1517/17425255.4.8.1119.

    PMID: 18680446BACKGROUND
  • Manning-Bog AB, Schule B, Langston JW. Alpha-synuclein-glucocerebrosidase interactions in pharmacological Gaucher models: a biological link between Gaucher disease and parkinsonism. Neurotoxicology. 2009 Nov;30(6):1127-32. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2009.06.009. Epub 2009 Jul 2.

    PMID: 19576930BACKGROUND
  • Mazzulli JR, Xu YH, Sun Y, Knight AL, McLean PJ, Caldwell GA, Sidransky E, Grabowski GA, Krainc D. Gaucher disease glucocerebrosidase and alpha-synuclein form a bidirectional pathogenic loop in synucleinopathies. Cell. 2011 Jul 8;146(1):37-52. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2011.06.001. Epub 2011 Jun 23.

    PMID: 21700325BACKGROUND
  • Mullin S, Smith L, Lee K, D'Souza G, Woodgate P, Elflein J, Hallqvist J, Toffoli M, Streeter A, Hosking J, Heywood WE, Khengar R, Campbell P, Hehir J, Cable S, Mills K, Zetterberg H, Limousin P, Libri V, Foltynie T, Schapira AHV. Ambroxol for the Treatment of Patients With Parkinson Disease With and Without Glucocerebrosidase Gene Mutations: A Nonrandomized, Noncontrolled Trial. JAMA Neurol. 2020 Apr 1;77(4):427-434. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.4611.

    PMID: 31930374BACKGROUND
  • Nalls MA, Duran R, Lopez G, Kurzawa-Akanbi M, McKeith IG, Chinnery PF, Morris CM, Theuns J, Crosiers D, Cras P, Engelborghs S, De Deyn PP, Van Broeckhoven C, Mann DM, Snowden J, Pickering-Brown S, Halliwell N, Davidson Y, Gibbons L, Harris J, Sheerin UM, Bras J, Hardy J, Clark L, Marder K, Honig LS, Berg D, Maetzler W, Brockmann K, Gasser T, Novellino F, Quattrone A, Annesi G, De Marco EV, Rogaeva E, Masellis M, Black SE, Bilbao JM, Foroud T, Ghetti B, Nichols WC, Pankratz N, Halliday G, Lesage S, Klebe S, Durr A, Duyckaerts C, Brice A, Giasson BI, Trojanowski JQ, Hurtig HI, Tayebi N, Landazabal C, Knight MA, Keller M, Singleton AB, Wolfsberg TG, Sidransky E. A multicenter study of glucocerebrosidase mutations in dementia with Lewy bodies. JAMA Neurol. 2013 Jun;70(6):727-35. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2013.1925.

    PMID: 23588557BACKGROUND
  • Narita A, Shirai K, Itamura S, Matsuda A, Ishihara A, Matsushita K, Fukuda C, Kubota N, Takayama R, Shigematsu H, Hayashi A, Kumada T, Yuge K, Watanabe Y, Kosugi S, Nishida H, Kimura Y, Endo Y, Higaki K, Nanba E, Nishimura Y, Tamasaki A, Togawa M, Saito Y, Maegaki Y, Ohno K, Suzuki Y. Ambroxol chaperone therapy for neuronopathic Gaucher disease: A pilot study. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2016 Feb 2;3(3):200-15. doi: 10.1002/acn3.292. eCollection 2016 Mar.

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    BACKGROUND
  • Narita, A., Zhou, L., Higaki, K., Togawa, M., Maegaki, Y., Nanba, E., … Ohno, K. (2012). Chemical chaperone therapy for neuropathic Gaucher disease. In 12th International Child Neurology Congress and the 11th Asian and Oceanian Congress of Child Neurology Brisbane (pp. 50-5)

    BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Lewy Body DiseaseDementia

Interventions

Ambroxol

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Parkinsonian DisordersBasal Ganglia DiseasesBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesMovement DisordersSynucleinopathiesNeurodegenerative DiseasesNeurocognitive DisordersMental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

BromhexineAniline CompoundsAminesOrganic ChemicalsCyclohexylamines

Central Study Contacts

Stephen Pasternak, MD, PhD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 1
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Neurologist

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

April 29, 2020

First Posted

May 28, 2020

Study Start

January 1, 2025

Primary Completion

January 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

January 1, 2027

Last Updated

December 13, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-12

Locations