Adenosine 2A Receptor Antagonism and AIH in ALS

Running, not enrolling · Phase 1/Phase 2 · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: ALS

In brief

The purpose of this research study is to determine the effects of a medication, istradefylline, in conjunction with breathing air with reduced oxygen for short periods of time (called acute intermittent hypoxia, or AIH), on breathing. This project will study breathing in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and unaffected, age-matched adults. Istradefylline is prescribed to increase movement in people with other neuromuscular conditions. A recently completed study found that people with ALS took deeper breaths, 60 minutes after using AIH.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05377424

Run by

University of Florida

People needed

40

Starts

2022-06-21

Expected to finish

2026-08-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-27

Who can join

Age: 21 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Non-smoking adults aged 21-80 years will be eligible to participate.
• Upon screening, eligible patients will have an
• ALS diagnosis (El Escorial diagnostic classifications of probable/definite ALS),
• vital capacity (VC) > 60% of predicted value, and
• ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) scores of 2 or greater for bulbar and respiratory items: swallowing, speech, salivation, dyspnea, orthopnea, and respiratory insufficiency.
• Additionally, patients taking riluzole and/or edaravone must be on a stable dose for >30 days.
• Unaffected control subjects will be eligible if they have a vital capacity (VC) > 60% of predicted value.

You may not qualify if…

• Patient and control are ineligible if they
• are pregnant
• have an active respiratory infection,
• took antibiotics within 4 weeks,
• are diagnosed with another neurodegenerative disease,
• have symptomatic cardiovascular disease or dysrhythmias (resting tachycardia and hypertension),
• exhibit history or presence of hypoxemia or hypercapnia,
• presence of rest tachypnea (RR ˃30),
• have a BMI >35 kg/m2,
• have a seizure disorder,
• take respiratory inhalers daily for airway disease, or
• require external respiratory support while awake and upright, or
• supplemental oxygen at rest or at night.
• In addition, the following conditions are exclusionary for the use of istradefylline: routine use of CYP3A4 inducers (i.e. carbamazepine, phenobarbitol, rifampin, phenytoin, St. John's Wort, glucocorticoids) or
• medications that may suppress ventilation, history of moderate renal impairment or severe hepatic impairment, and history of hallucinations or psychosis.
• Patients who cannot safety swallow thin liquids (required for administration of istradefylline and placebo) will also be ineligible.

Where it is running

• Clinical and Translational Research Building — Gainesville, Florida, United States
• UF Health Jacksonville — Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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