Effect of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors on Bone Metabolism

Recruiting now · Phase 2

Conditions studied: Osteoporosis

In brief

People with Alzheimer's disease are at an increased risk of bone fracture. Some studies have shown that those taking donepezil have a lower rate of bone fractures, but the reasons for this are unknown. The purpose of this study is to measure the effect of donepezil treatment on bone metabolism factors including bone mineral density, bone turnover markers, and bone quality. Participants in this study will have a bone density test and have blood samples collected at the baseline study visit. Participants will then be randomly assigned to donepezil or matching memantine to be taken daily by mouth for 12 months. Blood samples will be collected at 6 and 12 months. A repeat bone density test will be performed at 12 months. Participants will also complete questionnaires at each study visit.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06041789

Run by

Duke University

People needed

45

Starts

2025-02-03

Expected to finish

2026-11-01

Last updated by the study team

2025-09-11

Who can join

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

You may qualify if…

• Diagnosis of cognitive impairment, including clinical assessment, radiographic or laboratory biomarker assessment
• Willing to initiate treatment for cognitive impairment
• A) For females: either age > 55 years, or Age < 55 years and at least 12 months since last menstrual period B) For males, age > 50 years
• Geriatric Depression Scale score < 6
• English-speaking

You may not qualify if…

• Currently on acetylcholinesterase inhibitor or memantine
• History of bradycardia, heart block, long QT, unexplained syncope, or other contraindication for donepezil; subject with ECG showing HR < 50, PR interval > 200 ms, QTc > 440 ms in men or > 460 ms in women, or evidence of atrioventricular block
• Currently on osteoporosis medication (e.g., bisphosphonate, SERM, denosumab, teriparatide, abaloparatide, romozosumab, calcitonin)
• Use of bisphosphonate within last 5 years
• Use within last 6 months of estrogens or testosterone, androgen deprivation therapy or aromatase inhibitors, antiepileptic, heparin therapy, thiazolidinediones
• History of disorders associated with secondary osteoporosis: collagen vascular diseases, malabsorption, inflammatory bowel disease, severe liver disease/cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism (endogenous or exogenous)
• History of fracture of the humerus, wrist, or vertebra due to fall from standing height or less
• History of hip fracture, hip replacement, or non-ambulatory
• Long-term use (>6 months) of corticosteroids
• History of Parkinson's, HIV, Huntington's disease
• History of solid organ transplantation
• History of bariatric surgery or intending to lose weight by bariatric surgery or weight loss medication (e.g. GLP-1 agonist) in the next 12-months
• Severe kidney impairment (eGFR < 30 ml/min),
• Active malignancy currently undergoing chemotherapeutic, surgical, or radiation therapy, except non-melanomatous skin cancer
• 1-year mortality > 25%, measured by ePrognosis calculator
• Planning to move out of the area in the next 12-months
• Planning surgery in the next 12-months

Where it is running

• Duke Memory Disorders Clinic — Durham, North Carolina, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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