A Safety and Efficacy Study of Oral Dimebon in Patients With Mild-To-Moderate Alzheimer's Disease

Phase 3

Completed

Brief Summary: The Connection Study is a six-month confirmatory Phase 3 study to determine the safety and efficacy of Dimebon in the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Detailed Description: This study is a randomized, placebo-controlled 6-month study designed as an adequate and well-controlled trial to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of Dimebon in the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate AD. Dimebon is an investigational drug for Alzheimer's disease. The target of Dimebon's mechanism of action are the mitochondria (a cell's primary source of energy).The Connection Study is the second of two pivotal studies evaluating the effect of Dimebon. It is a 6-month study enrolling 525 patients in the United States, Europe, and South America. All patients completing the 6-month study will be eligible to receive Dimebon in an open-label extension trial.

The patient population will be carefully selected to ensure inclusion of patients with AD, rather than other types of dementia. Mild-to-moderate disease will be defined by the screening Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Patients will attend study visits with caregivers who will provide information about the patient's condition.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer's disease
Probable AD (National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDA) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV)
MMSE score 10-24 inclusive
Computerized tomography (CT) san or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) consistent with AD
Caregiver who cares for the patient at least 5 days per week

Exclusion Criteria

Anti-dementia drugs including cholinesterase-inhibitors or N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA) receptor antagonists within 90 days
Other causes of dementia
Other primary psychiatric or neurological disorders
Unstable medical illnesses or significant hepatic or renal disease

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
A	Dimebon	Dimebon, 5 mg orally three times daily
C	Placebo	Placebo orally three times daily for six months
B	Dimebon	Dimebon 20 mg orally three times daily

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
To determine the effect of Dimebon as compared to placebo on the primary measure of cognition and memory, the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog).	Week 26
To determine the effect of Dimebon as compared to placebo on the primary measure of global function, the Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change Plus Caregiver Input (CIBIC-plus).	Week 26

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
To determine the effect of Dimebon as compared to placebo on a measure of self care and daily function, the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL).	Week 26
To determine the effect of Dimebon as compared to placebo on a measure of behavior, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI).	Week 26