Seizure Activity in Alzheimer's Disease

Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Alzheimer's Disease, Seizures

In brief

The main purpose of this research project is to study how seizure-like activity affects the blood flow in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Changes in blood flow can change memory and thinking ability, as happens in Alzheimer's disease. The investigators are using a study drug called Levetiracetam, which helps control seizure-like activity to see if it can help change the abnormal blood flow in the brain that is seen in some people with Alzheimer's disease.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01554683

Run by

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

People needed

12

Starts

2012-02-01

Expected to finish

2017-07-01

Last updated by the study team

2020-07-23

Who can join

Age: 50 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Meets the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria for probable Alzheimer's disease
• Mild AD (MMSE ≥ 20)
• Age >= 50 years
• English as first language

You may not qualify if…

• A history of seizures prior to the onset of AD
• Familial Alzheimer's Disease due to known genetic mutations
• Current use of an antiepileptic medication
• Current use of a medication known to lower seizure threshold (e.g. bupropion or a neuroleptic)
• Presence of parkinsonism
• Significant cerebrovascular disease
• Other Central Nervous System disease (e.g. stroke, severe traumatic brain injury)
• Major depression or other psychiatric or behavioral disorders (psychosis, agitation)
• Medical contraindication to MRI (e.g. pacemaker, intraocular or intracranial metallic objects)
• Severe claustrophobia or inability to lie flat for MRI
• Known allergy to levetiracetam, or history of previous adverse reaction to levetiracetam
• Serum creatinine >= 2
• A score of >9 on the Geriatric Depression Scale

Where it is running

• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.