Skip to main content
Clinical Trials/NCT07351773
NCT07351773CompletedNot Applicable

Autonomic Neuromodulation With Ultrasound-Guided Stellate Ganglion Block in Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Taizhou Second People's Hospital0 sites40 target enrollmentStarted: January 26, 2025Last updated:

Trial Snapshot

Phase
Not Applicable
Status
Completed
Enrollment
40

Study Overview

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB), added to standard drug treatment, can improve thinking and memory in people with Alzheimer's disease. It will also learn about the safety of SGB.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

Do people who receive SGB plus standard drug treatment have better global cognition, measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), 1 month after finishing the treatment course compared with people who receive standard drug treatment alone? How do anxiety, depression, quality of life, and ability to live independently change over 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment? What medical problems, if any, occur during or after SGB?

Researchers will compare two groups:

SGB plus standard drug treatment Standard drug treatment alone

Participants will:

Be randomly assigned to one of the two groups Receive the assigned treatment Complete study visits and assessments at baseline and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after finishing the treatment course

Detailed Description

This is a randomized, parallel-group clinical trial in people with Alzheimer's disease. Participants are assigned to receive either ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) in addition to standard drug treatment or standard drug treatment alone. SGB is a procedure performed under ultrasound guidance in the neck region to temporarily block the stellate ganglion, which may influence autonomic nervous system activity.

The primary outcome is global cognition measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The prespecified primary endpoint is 1 month after completion of the treatment course to capture a relatively stable post-treatment effect. Secondary outcomes include anxiety symptoms measured by the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), depressive symptoms measured by the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), quality of life measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Quality of Life scale (QoL-AD), and independent living ability measured by the Lawton-Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale (IADL). Outcomes are assessed at baseline and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after completion of the treatment course.

Safety is evaluated by monitoring and recording adverse events related to the procedure and study participation throughout the treatment period and follow-up.

Study Design

Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking Description

Outcome assessors were blinded to group assignment.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages
55 Years to 85 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 55 to 85 years.
  • Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on the 2011 NIA-AA criteria.
  • Mild to moderate cognitive impairment assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
  • Ability to understand study procedures and provide written informed consent by the participant or a legally authorized representative.
  • Ability to complete scheduled follow-up assessments.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Known allergy to lidocaine, coagulation disorders, or other contraindications to stellate ganglion block (SGB).
  • Severe cardiac, hepatic, or renal disease that could compromise safety.
  • Cranial surgery or major head trauma within the past 6 months.
  • Participation in other interventional trials that could affect study outcomes.
  • Cognitive impairment primarily due to other neurodegenerative diseases or psychiatric disorders.

Investigators

Sponsor Class
Other
Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator

Yanan Ge

Attending Physician

Taizhou Second People's Hospital

Similar Trials