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A Genetic and Perfusion Study of Response to Cognitive Enhancers in Lewy Body Disease

Completed
Conditions
Lewy Body Disease
Interventions
Drug: Cholinesterase Inhibitors (Rivastigmine, Aricept, Galantamine)
Registration Number
NCT01944436
Lead Sponsor
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Brief Summary

Lewy body spectrum disorders are a common group of neurodegenerative diseases that cause memory loss, behavioural and motor disabilities that impair quality of life. Cognitive enhancers help people afflicted with these conditions. However, some people do not benefit from this treatment, while others experience serious side effects. Side effects and poor response lead to hospitalization and early institutionalization. Pharmacogenomics, the study of how DNA variation can influence drug effects, will be combined with functional changes in brain imaging in response to cognitive enhancers in patients with Lewy body disease. The goal is to develop a predictive test that can be administered in the clinic to aid physicians' choice of initial medication. This can reduce health care costs and improve treatment to Canadians suffering from these devastating disorders.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
57
Inclusion Criteria
  • Inclusion criteria for patients with a Lewy body spectrum disorder includes: age > 50 years; and mild-moderate dementia (Mini-Mental State Exam [MMSE] > 9); contact on at least four of seven days/week with a responsible caregiver; Hoehn & Yahr stage ≤ 4.
Exclusion Criteria
  • age < 50; Severe dementia (MMSE < 9); contact < 4 days a week with a responsible caregiver; Hoehn & Yahr stage > 4.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Dementia with Lewy BodiesCholinesterase Inhibitors (Rivastigmine, Aricept, Galantamine)Participants in the Dementia with Lewy Bodies group: * Diagnosis of clinically probable or possible Dementia with Lewy bodies with at least 1 of the following: Marked fluctuations in cognition, visual hallucinations or spontaneous parkinsonism. * Response to cholinesterase inhibitor over a period of six months will be monitored.
Parkinson's Disease DementiaCholinesterase Inhibitors (Rivastigmine, Aricept, Galantamine)Participants in the Parkinson's Disease Dementia group: * Must be taking a stable parkinsonian medication * Must have a diagnosis of clinically definite Parkinson's disease \>1 year prior to cognitive deficit with at least two of the following symptoms: asymmetric resting tremor, rigidity or bradykinesia, and definite motor response to dopaminergic agents. * Response to cholinesterase inhibitor over a period of six months will be monitored.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in neuropsychological assessment scores at 6 months0 and 6 months
Change from baseline in perfusion brain SPECT at 6 months0 and 6 months
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Volumetric Brain MRIBaseline

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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