An Investigation of Levetiracetam in Alzheimer's Disease (ILiAD)
Alzheimer Disease, Epilepsy
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Alzheimer Disease focused on measuring Alzheimer, Seizure, Epilepsy, Anti-epileptic drug, Levetiracetam
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male or Female, 50 years or above.
- Diagnosed with mild to moderate AD (MMSE 10 to 26)
- Meets the National Institute of Aging-Alzheimer's Association criteria for probable AD (2011)
- Stable dose of current regular medication, including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors if applicable, for at least 4 weeks prior to trial entry.
- Female participants of child bearing potential and male participants whose partner is of child bearing potential must be willing to ensure that they or their partner use effective contraception during the trial and for 3 months thereafter. Acceptable forms of contraception include: established use of oral, injected or implanted hormonal methods of contraception; placement of an intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS); total abdominal hysterectomy; barrier methods of contraception (condom or occlusive cap with spermicide); male sterilisation, if the vasectomised partner is the sole partner for the subject; true abstinence, when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject (periodic abstinence and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception).
- Participant has clinically acceptable blood and urine test results (creatinine clearance >75 ml/minute; liver function tests <2x upper limit of normal) and ECG that does not demonstrate conduction block or significant ischaemia within three months of enrolment.
- In the Investigator's opinion, is able and willing to comply with all trial requirements.
- Willing to allow his or her General Practitioner and consultant, if appropriate, to be notified of participation in the trial.
- Reliable carer willing and available to assist with medication administration as well as to accompany participants during any home visits.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pre-existing diagnosis of epilepsy
- Clinical or laboratory evidence of a cause other than AD as a cause of their dementia
- Laboratory evidence of significant renal impairment (creatinine clearance <75 ml/minute) or liver dysfunction (liver function tests >2x upper limit of normal) within the preceding three months
- Visual or motor impairment that investigator deems severe enough to impair ability to complete computerised based touch screen task
- Use of anti-epileptic medication for any indication (epilepsy, pain or migraine) within previous three months
- Other severe neurological or medical condition. Examples include, significant stroke, heart failure, chronic renal failure, chronic liver failure within last 3 months
- Major depression or other significant behavioural disturbance
- Known allergy to Levetiracetam or history of previous adverse reaction to Levetiracetam
- Female participant who is pregnant, lactating or planning pregnancy during the course of the trial.
- Scheduled elective surgery or other procedures requiring general anaesthesia during the trial.
- Participant with life expectancy of less than 6 months, or is inappropriate for placebo medication.
- Any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the participants at risk because of participation in the trial, or may influence the result of the trial, or the participant's ability to participate in the trial.
- Participants who have participated in another research trial involving an investigational medicinal product in the past 12 weeks Carer of participant with AD
- Carer has significant medical illness that will preclude adequate data capture during the study
Sites / Locations
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Active treatment arm (Levetiracetam)
Control arm (placebo oral tablets)
When in the active arm, after a baseline visit, participants will up-titrate Levetiracetam in 250mg steps at intervals of one week to Levetiracetam 500mg twice daily (two tablets twice daily). Participants will be maintained on Levetiracetam 500mg bd for four weeks and have a further full assessment at 8 weeks after being on Levetiracetam. Participants will then down-titrate Levetiracetam by 250mg every week until weaned to nil.
When in the control arm, after a baseline visit, participants will up-titrate placebo (manufactured to look identical to Levetiracetam 250mg) in one tablet steps at intervals of one week to two tablets twice daily. Participants will be maintained on placebo for four weeks and have a further full assessment at 8 weeks after being on placebo. Participants will then down-titrate placebo by one tablet every week until weaned to nil.