Clinical Trial: Study of the Brain Stimulation Effect on Memory Impairment in Alzheimer Disease

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Unknown status
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Study of the Effect of the Chronic Electric Stimulation of the Hypothalamus/Fornix on Memory Impairment in Alzheimer Disease.

Brief Summary:

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Today no treatment had shown consistent efficacy to stop or slow down the disease. Recent report of enhancement of memory abilities by bilateral chronic deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the fornix in the hypothalamus suggests that neuromodulation of circuits involved in memory processes may have therapeutic implications in AD patients with memory decline.

The primary objectives of this prospective, non-controlled, pilot study are to assess the feasibility and safety of DBS in AD patients with mild cognitive and memory impairment, and to evaluate the efficacy of DBS to slow down or stabilize this decline. Five patients with AD (DSM IV) diagnosed less than two years, with mild cognitive decline (MMSE 20-24), and specific impairment of episodic memory will be included in a 2-year period. The evaluation criteria for feasibility will be the proportion of patients undergoing the procedure, chronic stimulation and evaluation process without adverse event (AE). Efficacy will be evaluated using numerous cognitive and memory testing including classical instrument used in AD clinical trials. Changes in behavioral scales, and changes in hypothalamic functions (clinical, biological and hormonal assessment) will evaluate safety and tolerance. Clinical, neuro-psychological, biological and imaging assessment will be performed 3 and one month before and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Bilateral electrodes (Medtronic 3389) will be implanted, by MR-guided frame-based stereotaxy, in the hypothalamic part of the fornix, and then connected to the generator (Kinetra, Medtronic). Chronic high-frequency stimulation will be delivered immediately after surgery.

The investigators expect to slow down, or to stabilize the spontaneous decline of MMSE and ADAS scores after 6, 12 and 24 m

Detailed Summary:

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia whom estimated prevalence rise to more than 5 millions in the US. AD patients display progressive impairment of episodic memory and instrumental signs including aphasia, apraxia, and agnosia, together with general cognitive decline, death occurring 6-9 years after diagnosis. Up to now, no treatment had shown consistent efficacy to stop or slow down the disease. Recently, it has been shown that memory abilities have been enhanced by bilateral chronic deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the fornix in the hypothalamus, in a patient initially treated for malignant obesity (Hamani C, Ann Neurol, 2008). This report showed that neuro-anatomic circuits involved in memory processes are reachable and can be modulated. This modulation may have therapeutic implications in AD patients with memory decline.

The primary objectives of this prospective, non-controlled, pilot study are to evaluate the feasibility and safety of DBS in AD patients with mild cognitive and memory impairment, and to evaluate the efficacy of DBS to slow down or stabilize this decline. The secondary objectives are to determine which cognitive and memory aspects are improved, and the duration of the efficacy of DBS on AD symptoms.

The inclusion criteria are: patients with AD (DSM IV) diagnosed less than two years, age between 50 and 65, with mild cognitive decline (MMSE between 20 and 24), and specific impairment of episodic memory (using the free and cued selective reminding test: FCSRT ), able to give and sign an informed consent. Patients with associated DSM I axis pathology, contra-indication to surgery or MRI, or preoperative MRI abnormalities will not be included. Five patients will be included in a 2-year period.

The evaluation criteria for feasibility
Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice

Current Primary Outcome: Evaluation criteria for feasibility will be the proportion of patients undergoing the procedure, chronic stimulation and evaluation process without adverse event. [ Time Frame: 2012 ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: - Efficacy : evaluated using cognitive and memory testing. - Global improvement : CGI and IADL - Neuro-imaging : MRI and functional imaging - Safety/tolerance : Changes in behavioral,in hypothalamic functions and assessment of adverse events [ Time Frame: 2012 ]

Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice

Dates:
Date Received: July 27, 2009
Date Started: August 2009
Date Completion: August 2012
Last Updated: December 7, 2011
Last Verified: July 2009