Nicotinic Acid for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: a Phase 1b/2a Study

Phase 1

Recruiting

• Conditions: Alzheimer Disease
• Interventions: Drug: Extended Release Niacin; Drug: Placebo Comparator

• Registration Number: NCT06582706
• Lead Sponsor: Indiana University

Brief Summary

Increased dietary intake of niacin is correlated with reduced risk of Alzheimer's Disease and age-associated cognitive decline. The goal of this study is to collect data on the penetration of commercially available, FDA approved, extended-release niacin into the spinal fluid. One dose of 500 mg nicotinic acid will be used (in addition to placebo) to build a dose response curve for this compound in human cerebrospinal fluid. This objective will demonstrate target engagement of HCAR2 in the central nervous system, after oral treatment with niacin. The primary endpoints are to show increased nicotinic acid levels in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. A secondary endpoint is to collect safety and tolerability data of niacin in this particular population.

Detailed Description

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a highly prevalent neurodegenerative disorder with several modestly effective therapies. Interestingly, increased dietary intake of niacin is correlated with reduced risk of AD and age-associated cognitive decline. Niacin/nicotinic acid is obtained principally through diet and can cross the blood brain barrier. Overall data support that niacin can be beneficial at mid/late AD stages limiting both amyloid and tau pathologies. Niacin formulations are currently being tested in clinical trials for Parkinson's disease and glioblastoma (NCT04677049 and NCT03808961) and are FDA-approved to treat dyslipidemia and its safety profile established in the general population. Thus, we propose a phase 2a clinical trial targeting microglia response by repurposing an FDA-approved formulation of niacin. This study (randomized, placebo controlled, blinded) includes a single intervention arm. The intervention is extended release niacin 500mg.

The control/placebo group will use microcrystalline cellulose tablets. The size and shape of the placebo pill will be chosen to most closely match the other treatment tablets. Randomization instructions from RedCap will designate a participant and their assigned uniquely identified bottle which will be given to them at randomization with instructions. At the 30-day visit a pill count will be undertaken to reinforce compliance. The bottle and any remaining pills will be collected at the end of the study and compliance will be assessed. All pill counts and pill instructions will be given by a separate study coordinator (due to inability to have a perfectly matching placebo) so that primary study coordinator and principal investigator remain blinded throughout the study. We expect a compliance rate of 85% or better (approximately 9 missed doses over the 60 day period). Participants and study partners will be instructed to take their dose at the same time every morning. The pills should not be distributed into pill containers and retained within the study drug bottle. If a dose is missed and it is less than 12 hours from the missed dose, it should be taken immediately, otherwise it will be considered a "missed dose". Missing more than 15% of doses will lead to an early termination from the study. Pill count is completed at the interim visit. The separate study coordinator (designated as the "auditor") will also audit the Redcap electronic database at 3 time points to ensure data integrity and compliance.

At the screening visit patients will be appropriately screened for inclusion/exclusion criteria. Contraindicated medications will be reviewed. Integrity of the relationship between the participant and study partner will be ascertained; EKG and basic laboratory studies including hepatic function testing and coagulation studies will be reviewed. Physical and Neurologic examination will take place. All criteria will be reviewed, and the inclusion/exclusion criteria will be reviewed again at randomization. At randomization the participant will undergo additional cognitive and functional assessments, including the MMSE, Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR), and ADCS-ADL. Additional blood work will be drawn, and lumbar puncture will be performed to obtain 20 ml of spinal fluid (18-22ml range). At week 4 a safety assessment and blood draw will take place along with pill counts and recording of AEs. The final visit at week 8 will mirror the randomization visit with blood work, CSF collection, and cognitive and functional assessments. Aliquots of the obtained blood and cerebrospinal fluid will be sent to a CLIA certified lab for local analysis of safety labs; aliquots will delivered to the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute Biomarker Core, the IUSM Clinical Pharmacology Analytical Core, and the and National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease located on the Indiana University campus for further processing and storage.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-08-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-08-30
• Study First Posted: 2024-09-03
• Status Verified: 2024-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-12-10
• Study Start: 2024-12-11
• Last Update Posted: 2024-12-13
• Primary Completion: 2026-02
• Study Completion: 2026-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

Age 60-85 males or females

Clinically have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in the mild-moderate dementia range Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) between 14-24 inclusive

Must be on a stable dose (30 days minimum) of a cholinesterase inhibitor and/or memantine (or absence thereof)

Have a reliable co-participant who has at least 3 days of face-to-face contact per week with the patient and ensures medical compliance with the study drug.

Neuroimaging (MRI or CT scan of the brain) should be available within 1 year of screening

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Exclusion Criteria

Any contraindication to clinical lumbar puncture including increased intracranial pressure, posterior fossa mass, bleeding diathesis, use of antiplatelet medications other than aspirin, use of any anticoagulant

Severe cerebrovascular disease

History of large territory stroke

Allergy or sensitivity to B-vitamins or nicotinic acid

History of elevated liver function tests (ALT/AST > 2x the upper limit of normal) or known liver disease

Current consumption of Vitamin B3 (any form, including nicotinic acid) - including multivitamins and energy drinks. Participants taking a supplement containing Niacin must washout for 4 weeks prior to screening to participate.

Renal impairment of Stage 2 or greater

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Extended -Release Niacin	Extended Release Niacin	500 mg daily
Placebo	Placebo Comparator	Microcrystalline cellulose tablets

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in nicotinic acid levels in blood and CSF	Baseline and 60 day visit	Target engagement of HCAR2 in the CNS after treatment with niacin

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of participants with treatment related adverse events	Baseline to 60 day visit	Adverse events will be collected throughout the study. Adverse events deemed related to nicotinic acid will be delineated from procedural based adverse events by the PI.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

IU Health Neuroscience Center; 🇺🇸 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States