scholarly journals Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Study of Cognition Effects of the Proprietary ExtractSceletium tortuosum(Zembrin) Targeting Phosphodiesterase-4 in Cognitively Healthy Subjects: Implications for Alzheimer’s Dementia

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Chiu ◽  
Nigel Gericke ◽  
Michel Farina-Woodbury ◽  
Vladimir Badmaev ◽  
Hana Raheb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Camp Response Element Binding ◽  
Alzheimer’S Dementia ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Alzheimer's Dementia ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Element Binding Protein

Introduction. Converging evidence suggests that PDE-4 (phosphodiesterase subtype 4) plays a crucial role in regulating cognition via the PDE-4-cAMP cascade signaling involving phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (CREB).Objective. The primary endpoint was to examine the neurocognitive effects of extractSceletium tortuosum(Zembrin) and to assess the safety and tolerability of Zembrin in cognitively healthy control subjects.Method. We chose the randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design in our study. We randomized normal healthy subjects (totaln=21) to receive either 25 mg capsule Zembrin or placebo capsule once daily for 3 weeks, in a randomized placebo-controlled 3-week cross-over design. We administered battery of neuropsychological tests: CNS Vital Signs and Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D) at baseline and regular intervals and monitored side effects with treatment emergent adverse events scale.Results. 21 subjects (mean age: 54.6 years ± 6.0 yrs; male/female ratio: 9/12) entered the study. Zembrin at 25 mg daily dosage significantly improved cognitive set flexibility (P<0.032) and executive function (P<0.022), compared with the placebo group. Positive changes in mood and sleep were found. Zembrin was well tolerated.Conclusion. The promising cognitive enhancing effects of Zembrin likely implicate the PDE-4-cAMP-CREB cascade, a novel drug target in the potential treatment of early Alzheimer’s dementia. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.govNCT01805518.

Double-blind, placebo controlled study of acetyl-l-carnitine in patients with Alzheimer's dementia

1990 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 638-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Rai ◽  
G. Wright ◽  
L. Scott ◽  
B. Beston ◽  
J. Rest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Dementia ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Alzheimer's Dementia ◽  
Double Blind Placebo

scholarly journals SAFETY OF AMISELIMOD IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS: RESULTS FROM A PHASE 1 RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S1-S1
Author(s):  
Stephen Hanauer ◽  
Terry O’Reilly ◽  
Robert Lester ◽  
Neal Slatkin ◽  
Jimin Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Dose ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Tolerability Profile ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Study Drug Administration ◽  
Safety Population ◽  
Physical Examinations ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Objective To evaluate the safety profile of amiselimod, a selective sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator which has been shown to regulate lymphocyte trafficking and is in development for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Methods A randomized, double-blind, multiple-dose, placebo-controlled, parallel study with a nested crossover design evaluated the safety and tolerability profile of amiselimod. Healthy adults were randomized in a 2:1:1 ratio during a 28-day treatment period accordingly: a single dose of placebo followed by oral amiselimod (upwardly titrated in doses ranging from 0.4 to 1.6 mg to achieve 0.4 mg and 0.8 mg steady-state exposure; a single dose of oral moxifloxacin 400 mg followed by placebo; or placebo followed by a single dose of moxifloxacin 400 mg. The safety population included all subjects who received at least one dose of treatment. Adverse events (AE) and serious AEs were collected. Treatment-emergent AEs were defined as an AE that was starting or worsening at the time of or after study drug administration. Changes in clinical laboratory parameters (including lymphocyte counts), physical examinations, vital signs, and electrocardiogram parameters (including heart rate, PR, QRS, and QT intervals) were recorded. Subjects were permitted to withdraw if lymphocyte counts were ≤ 0.2 x 109/L. Results The safety population included 190 subjects of which 95 received amiselimod and 95 were in the combined moxifloxacin group. Subjects were 40% female, 83% white, and the mean (standard deviation) age was 39.0 (8.8) years. The discontinuation rate was 8% (n=8) in the amiselimod group and 4% (n=4) in the moxifloxacin group. Three subjects who received amiselimod discontinued because they met the stopping criteria for low lymphocyte counts. One subject experienced an amiselimod-related serious AE of atrial fibrillation on day 26 (after receiving amiselimod 1.6 mg for 3 of the preceding 4 days) that required hospitalization, cardioversion, and led to discontinuation. No deaths were reported. All other AEs were mild to moderate in severity. Decreased white blood counts were the most commonly reported TEAE, followed by headache and constipation (Table). Reductions in white blood counts returned to normal range after study discontinuation without sequelae. Decreased neutrophils, lymphocytes and hemoglobin, and increased creatine kinase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase were reported, all of which resolved without sequelae. The mean absolute lymphocyte count for amiselimod exhibited a gradual decrease from predose (1.681 thou/uL) to a nadir of 0.424 thou/uL on day 27 (Figure). Changes to vital signs, physical examinations, and ECG parameters were within normal limits. Conclusions Upwardly titrated doses of amiselimod ranging from 0.4 to 1.6 mg were generally well tolerated in healthy subjects.

scholarly journals Treatment of bipolar depression with supraphysiologic doses of levothyroxine: a randomized, placebo-controlled study of comorbid anxiety symptoms

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Pilhatsch ◽  
Thomas J Stamm ◽  
Petra Stahl ◽  
Ute Lewitzka ◽  
Anne Berghöfer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Bipolar Depression ◽  
Phenotypic Expression ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Comorbid Anxiety ◽  
Depressed Patients ◽  
Depressive Episodes

Abstract Background Symptoms of anxiety co-occur in a variety of disorders including in depressive episodes of bipolar disorder and in patients with thyrotoxicosis. Treatment of refractory bipolar disorder with supraphysiologic doses of levothyroxine (L-T4) has been shown to improve the phenotypic expression of the disorder and is associated with an increase of circulating thyroid hormones. However, it might be associated with somatic and mental adverse effects. Here we report the investigation of the influence of treatment with supraphysiologic doses of L-T4 on symptoms of anxiety in patients with refractory bipolar depression. Methods Post-hoc analysis from a 6-week, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of supraphysiologic L-T4 treatment on anxiety symptoms in bipolar depression. Anxiety symptoms were measured weekly with the Hamilton anxiety/somatization factor (HASF) score of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and the State- and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results Treatment of both groups was associated with a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms (p < 0.001) with no statistical difference between groups (LT-4: from 5.9 (SD = 2.0) at baseline to 3.7 (SD = 2.4) at study end; placebo: from 6.1 (SD = 2.4) at baseline to 4.4 (SD = 2.8) at study end; p = 0.717). Severity of anxiety at baseline did not show a statistically significant correlation to the antidepressive effect of treatment with supraphysiologic doses of L-T4 (p = 0.811). Gender did not show an influence on the reduction of anxiety symptoms (females: from 5.6 (SD = 1.7) at baseline to 3.5 (SD = 2.4) at study end; males: from 6.1 (SD = 2.3) at baseline to 4.0 (SD = 2.4) at study end; p = 0.877). Conclusions This study failed to detect a difference in change of anxiety between bipolar depressed patients treated with supraphysiologic doses of L-T4 or placebo. Comorbid anxiety symptoms should not be considered a limitation for the administration of supraphysiologic doses of L-T4 refractory bipolar depressed patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01528839. Registered 2 June 2012—Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01528839

Modulation of Remifentanil-induced Analgesia and Postinfusion Hyperalgesia by Parecoxib in Humans

2006 ◽  
Vol 105 (5) ◽  
pp. 1016-1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Tröster ◽  
Ruth Sittl ◽  
Boris Singler ◽  
Martin Schmelz ◽  
Jürgen Schüttler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Control Level ◽  
Numeric Rating Scale ◽  
Cyclooxygenase 2 ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Antinociceptive Effects ◽  
Current Densities ◽  
Mu Opioids

Background Numerous experimental and clinical studies suggest that brief opioid exposure can enhance pain sensitivity. It is suggested that spinal cyclooxygenase activity may contribute to the development and expression of opioid tolerance. The aim of the investigation was to determine analgesic and antihyperalgesic properties of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor parecoxib on remifentanil-induced hypersensitivity in humans. Methods Fifteen healthy male volunteers were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in a crossover design. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation at high current densities was used to induce spontaneous acute pain (numeric rating scale 6 of 10) and stable areas of pinprick hyperalgesia. Pain intensities and areas of hyperalgesia were assessed before, during, and after a 30-min intravenous infusion of remifentanil (0.1 microg x kg x min) or placebo (saline). Parecoxib (40 mg) was administered intravenously either with onset of electrical stimulation (preventive) or in parallel to the remifentanil infusion. Results Remifentanil reduced pain and mechanical hyperalgesia during the infusion, but upon withdrawal, pain and hyperalgesia increased significantly above control level. Preventive administration of parecoxib led to an amplification of remifentanil-induced antinociceptive effects during the infusion (71.3 +/- 7 vs. 46.4 +/- 17% of control) and significantly diminished the hyperalgesic response after withdrawal. In contrast, parallel administration of parecoxib did not show any modulatory effects on remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia. Conclusion The results confirm clinically relevant interaction of mu opioids and prostaglandins in humans. Adequate timing seems to be of particular importance for the antihyperalgesic effect of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors.

scholarly journals Perioperative pregabalin for reducing pain, analgesic consumption, and anxiety and enhancing sleep quality in elective neurosurgical patients: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, and controlled clinical study

2016 ◽  
Vol 125 (6) ◽  
pp. 1513-1522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nir Shimony ◽  
Uri Amit ◽  
Bella Minz ◽  
Rachel Grossman ◽  
Marc A. Dany ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Preoperative Anxiety ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Analgesic Consumption ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
Neurosurgical Patients ◽  
Duration Of Surgery

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess in-hospital (immediate) postoperative pain scores and analgesic consumption (primary goals) and preoperative anxiety and sleep quality (secondary goals) in patients who underwent craniotomy and were treated with pregabalin (PGL). Whenever possible, out-of-hospital pain scores and analgesics usage data were obtained as well. METHODS This prospective, randomized, double-blind and controlled study was conducted in consenting patients who underwent elective craniotomy for brain tumor resection at Tel Aviv Medical Center between 2012 and 2014. Patients received either 150 mg PGL (n = 50) or 500 mg starch (placebo; n = 50) on the evening before surgery, 1.5 hours before surgery, and twice daily for 72 hours following surgery. All patients spent the night before surgery in the hospital, and no other premedication was administered. Opioids and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs were used for pain, which was self-rated by means of a numerical rating scale (score range 0–10). RESULTS Eighty-eight patients completed the study. Data on the American Society of Anesthesiologists class, age, body weight, duration of surgery, and intraoperative drugs were similar for both groups. The pain scores during postoperative Days 0 to 2 were significantly lower in the PGL group than in the placebo group (p < 0.01). Analgesic consumption was also lower in the PGL group, both immediately and 1 month after surgery. There were fewer requests for antiemetics in the PGL group, and the rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting was lower. The preoperative anxiety level and the quality of sleep were significantly better in the PGL group (p < 0.01). There were no PGL-associated major adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Perioperative use of twice-daily 150 mg pregabalin attenuates preoperative anxiety, improves sleep quality, and reduces postoperative pain scores and analgesic usage without increasing the rate of adverse effects. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT01612832 (clinicaltrials.gov)

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