search
Back to results

Measurement of the Effect of Gingko Biloba Extract on Ocular and Nailfold Blood-flow in NTG

Primary Purpose

Normal Tension Glaucoma

Status
Unknown status
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Gingko Baloba
Placebo
Sponsored by
Robert Ritch, MD, LLC.
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Normal Tension Glaucoma

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - undefined (Adult, Older Adult)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

Male or female of any race, at least 18 years of age

  • Has provided verbal and written informed consent.
  • Able and willing to follow instructions, including participation in all study assessments and visits.
  • Eyes with NTG will be enrolled.
  • Glaucoma severity will be graded using the WHO (World Health Organization)staging system.

NTG diagnosis will be based on the following:

  1. Glaucomatous optic disc on slit-lamp biomicroscopy defined as cup-to-disc ratio greater than 0.7, inter-eye asymmetry in cup-to-disc ration greater than 0.2 or neuroretinal rim notching, focal thinning, disc hemorrhage or vertical elongation of optic disc.
  2. Glaucomatous visual field defects on at least three reliable visual field examinations as measured by a glaucoma hemifield test (GHT) result outside normal limits and/or the appearance of at least three consecutive test points on the pattern deviation plot with p<1% and at least one at p<0.05%, not including points on the edge of the field.
  3. NTG will be defined as those subjects with a history of untreated peak IOP ≤21 mmHg.

    • Both eyes will be enrolled

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Best-corrected visual acuity less than 20/40
  • Age younger than 18 years or older than 85 years
  • Refractive error greater than +3.00 diopters (D) or less than -7.00 diopters (D)
  • Previous intraocular surgery except for uncomplicated cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation
  • Any other diseases that may cause visual field loss or optic disc abnormalities
  • Inability to perform reliably on automated visual field testing.
  • Subjects taking any GBE product will be washed out for 2 weeks prior to enrollment.
  • Diabetes.
  • Seizure disorder.
  • Taking any drugs that may interact with GBE (as listed).

Sites / Locations

  • New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount SinaiRecruiting

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm Type

Active Comparator

Placebo Comparator

Arm Label

Gingko Biloba Extract

Placebo

Arm Description

Gingko Biloba Extract 240 mg.

Placebo Pill

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome - Measure of Blood Vessel by Optical Cohrence Tomography Angiography (OCTA)
The investigators plan to evaluate the density of the small blood vessels at the back of the eye. This will be measured by a OCTA. A camera capable of imaging the smallest vessels so that their density (number) can be calculated by a computer, the purpose being to determine if there is disease causing progressive loss of these vessels.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome - Measure of Blood Flow and Velocity by Nailfold Capillaroscopy (NFC)
Measuring blood flow at the 4th finger nailfold by NFC is a standard technique, especially in rheumatology, in which a commercially available light microscope glides over the base of the fingernail to image the tiny capillaries in the nailfold. These images are recorded as videos from which the blood flow can be analyzed quantitatively by freely available software to measure blood flow and velocity.

Full Information

First Posted
November 20, 2018
Last Updated
March 16, 2020
Sponsor
Robert Ritch, MD, LLC.
search

1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT03761992
Brief Title
Measurement of the Effect of Gingko Biloba Extract on Ocular and Nailfold Blood-flow in NTG
Official Title
Measurement of the Effect of Gingko Biloba Extract on Ocular and Nailfold Blood-flow in Normaltension Glaucoma by Ocular Coherence Tomography Angiography and Nailfold Capillaroscopy
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
March 2020
Overall Recruitment Status
Unknown status
Study Start Date
November 19, 2018 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
November 2020 (Anticipated)
Study Completion Date
December 2020 (Anticipated)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
Robert Ritch, MD, LLC.

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No
Data Monitoring Committee
No

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on the number of blood vessels in the back of the eye as well as the amount of blood flow at the nailfold(where the fingernail meets the skin) of the 4th finger in the hand.This finger, along with the 5th finger, has the most transparent skin, which makes imaging a little easier. GBE is an over-the-counter pill, made from a natural powder taken from the Gingko (Maidenhair) tree, that is widely used. A technique called Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA),will be used to measure the small blood vessels at the back of the eye, the macula (the area of sharpest vision), and the optic disc (the point at which the nerve fibers from the retina enter to form the optic nerve, which transmits visual impulses to the brain).
Detailed Description
GBE has been reported to improve blood flow to the brain, eye, and extremeties(hands, feet,etc.). .As with most supplements, GBE is neither regulated nor FDA approved. A technique called Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA),will be used to measure the small blood vessels at the back of the eye, the macula (the area of sharpest vision), and the optic disc (the point at which the nerve fibers from the retina enter to form the optic nerve, which transmits visual impulses to the brain). This technique uses a camera, capable of imaging the smallest vessels, so that their density (number) can be calculated by a computer. This is being done to determine if there is disease causing increasing loss of these vessels. The imaging is done by a widely used camera which does not contact the eye. It simply uses visible light to measure the amount of blood vessels present in a determined area in the back of the eye. Blood flow at the 4th finger nailfold (nailfold capillaroscopy; NFC) is a standard technique, especially in rheumatology, performed by using a commercially available light microscope which glides over the base of the fingernail and can image the tiny capillaries in the nailfold. These images are recorded as videos from which the blood flow can be analyzed by freely available software for the purpose of quantitative measurements (amount of blood flow and blood flow velocity).

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Normal Tension Glaucoma

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Not Applicable
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Model Description
Gingko baloba extract (GBE) versus placebo
Masking
ParticipantInvestigator
Masking Description
Neither the patient nor the investigator will know which treatment that the patient is receiving.
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
40 (Anticipated)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Gingko Biloba Extract
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
Gingko Biloba Extract 240 mg.
Arm Title
Placebo
Arm Type
Placebo Comparator
Arm Description
Placebo Pill
Intervention Type
Dietary Supplement
Intervention Name(s)
Gingko Baloba
Other Intervention Name(s)
240mg. Gingko Biloba
Intervention Description
Tablets
Intervention Type
Other
Intervention Name(s)
Placebo
Intervention Description
Tablets
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Primary Outcome - Measure of Blood Vessel by Optical Cohrence Tomography Angiography (OCTA)
Description
The investigators plan to evaluate the density of the small blood vessels at the back of the eye. This will be measured by a OCTA. A camera capable of imaging the smallest vessels so that their density (number) can be calculated by a computer, the purpose being to determine if there is disease causing progressive loss of these vessels.
Time Frame
4 weeks
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Secondary Outcome - Measure of Blood Flow and Velocity by Nailfold Capillaroscopy (NFC)
Description
Measuring blood flow at the 4th finger nailfold by NFC is a standard technique, especially in rheumatology, in which a commercially available light microscope glides over the base of the fingernail to image the tiny capillaries in the nailfold. These images are recorded as videos from which the blood flow can be analyzed quantitatively by freely available software to measure blood flow and velocity.
Time Frame
4 weeks

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Male or female of any race, at least 18 years of age Has provided verbal and written informed consent. Able and willing to follow instructions, including participation in all study assessments and visits. Eyes with NTG will be enrolled. Glaucoma severity will be graded using the WHO (World Health Organization)staging system. NTG diagnosis will be based on the following: Glaucomatous optic disc on slit-lamp biomicroscopy defined as cup-to-disc ratio greater than 0.7, inter-eye asymmetry in cup-to-disc ration greater than 0.2 or neuroretinal rim notching, focal thinning, disc hemorrhage or vertical elongation of optic disc. Glaucomatous visual field defects on at least three reliable visual field examinations as measured by a glaucoma hemifield test (GHT) result outside normal limits and/or the appearance of at least three consecutive test points on the pattern deviation plot with p<1% and at least one at p<0.05%, not including points on the edge of the field. NTG will be defined as those subjects with a history of untreated peak IOP ≤21 mmHg. Both eyes will be enrolled Exclusion Criteria: Best-corrected visual acuity less than 20/40 Age younger than 18 years or older than 85 years Refractive error greater than +3.00 diopters (D) or less than -7.00 diopters (D) Previous intraocular surgery except for uncomplicated cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation Any other diseases that may cause visual field loss or optic disc abnormalities Inability to perform reliably on automated visual field testing. Subjects taking any GBE product will be washed out for 2 weeks prior to enrollment. Diabetes. Seizure disorder. Taking any drugs that may interact with GBE (as listed).
Central Contact Person:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
Robert Ritch, MD
Phone
212-477-7540
Email
rritch@nyee.edu
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
Luis Silva MD, MD
Phone
212-477-7540
Email
lsilva@nyee.edu
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Robert Ritch, MD
Organizational Affiliation
New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of mount Sinai
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai
City
New York
State/Province
New York
ZIP/Postal Code
10003
Country
United States
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Robert Ritch, MD
Phone
212-477-7540
Email
rritch@nyee.edu
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Luis Silva, MD
Phone
212-477-7540
Email
lsilva@nyee.edu

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Citations:
PubMed Identifier
16488940
Citation
Quigley HA, Broman AT. The number of people with glaucoma worldwide in 2010 and 2020. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006 Mar;90(3):262-7. doi: 10.1136/bjo.2005.081224.
Results Reference
background
PubMed Identifier
26886116
Citation
Kim KE, Park KH. Update on the Prevalence, Etiology, Diagnosis, and Monitoring of Normal-Tension Glaucoma. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2016 Jan-Feb;5(1):23-31. doi: 10.1097/APO.0000000000000177.
Results Reference
background
PubMed Identifier
26720776
Citation
Pasquale LR. Vascular and autonomic dysregulation in primary open-angle glaucoma. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2016 Mar;27(2):94-101. doi: 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000245.
Results Reference
background
PubMed Identifier
23742177
Citation
Flammer J, Konieczka K, Flammer AJ. The primary vascular dysregulation syndrome: implications for eye diseases. EPMA J. 2013 Jun 7;4(1):14. doi: 10.1186/1878-5085-4-14.
Results Reference
background

Learn more about this trial

Measurement of the Effect of Gingko Biloba Extract on Ocular and Nailfold Blood-flow in NTG

We'll reach out to this number within 24 hrs