Randomized Trial of Low-dose Naproxen in Cognitively Intact Persons at Risk of Alzheimer's Dementia

Two-year double-masked trial of over-the-counter dosage of naproxen sodium vs placebo in 200 cognitively normal participants with a parental or multiplex first-degree family history Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia. Primary outcomes are decline in cognitive function and slope of change in a summary Alzheimer Progression Score derived from serial assessment of neuroimaging, biochemical, and sensori-neural biomarker indicators of pre-clinical disease -- all believed likely to reflect progress of preclinical AD in this high risk cohort. Approximately 2/3 of participants have volunteered also for serial lumbar punctures for analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. A two-year off-treatment delayed-washout phase is planned to examine sustained treatment effects and evidence of disease modification.

The trial enrolled 195 cognitively normal persons aged 60+ with either a parental history of AD or a history of two or more affected first-degree relatives. Persons aged 55-59 were admitted if their current age was <= 15 years younger than AD onset in their index relative. Such persons are believed to be at approximately 3-fold increased risk of AD dementia. We expected a majority of them to show evidence of progressive pre-clinical AD. Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive the common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen in over-the-counter dosage (naproxen sodium 220 mg) or identical-appearing placebo tablets twice daily. At baseline and at three follow-up visits (3 months, 12 months and 24 months after randomization) they were tested for cognitive abilities and undergo brain imaging with both structural and functional MRI. They are also tested for sensori-neural capacities in olfactory identification and in the ability to discern spoken language in a distracting environment (to test central auditory processing). About 2/3 of participants also volunteered to undergo a series of lumbar punctures for donation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which was assayed for several biochemical markers of AD that are now understood to be present for a decade or longer before the onset of symptoms. As well, their plasma and CSF are assayed for presence of naproxen and for numerous markers of inflammatory processes (cytokines and chemokines). The central hypothesis was that administration of naproxen would not only suppress these inflammatory markers but would also slow or reverse the progress of change in cognition and in biomarkers of the pre-clinical stage of AD. The analysis plan followed the principle of modified Intent-to-Treat, considering outcomes for all persons who had at least one follow-up examination while on-protocol. After completion of two years of treatment, these participants are being followed for a further two years to observe whether treatment-related changes are sustained -- indicating that the treatment effects represent modification of the disease process itself, as opposed to a temporary change in brain function.

Alzheimer Disease, Cognitive Decline Due to Alzheimer Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment Due to Alzheimer Disease

Trajectory of composite Alzheimer Progression Score (APS) from multiple cognitive and biomarker measures of pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease

Summary score derived using latent trait Item Response Theory analyses, trajectory estimated from mixed effects models based on multiple individual markers observed at baseline, three months, 12 months, and 24 months following randomization

Two years for primary outcome, with intent to follow participants off-treatment for two-year observational delayed washout

trajectory of cognitive abilities measured by global score on Repeatable Battery for Assessment of Neuropsychological Status

global score of primary interest, although individual scale scores will be used in secondary analyses

observed at baseline, annually thereafter over two years following randomization (RZ), and two years further (delayed washout)

ratio of total and protein-bound naproxen concentrations as well as kinetics of drug accumulation and washout

estimate of blood brain barrier permeability and rapidity of drug accumulation and washout in both plasma and CSF partitions

estimated at three months and annually thereafter for two years following RZ, with further two years delayed washout

quantitative measures of 44 different inflammatory cytokines measured in plasma, and in CSF when available

measured at three months and annually thereafter for two years following RZ, with further two years delayed washout

concentrations of total tau protein, phosphorylated tau protein, Amyloid beta 1-40 and Amyloid beta 1-42, apolipoprotein E

observed at baseline, after three months, and annually thereafter over two years following randomization (RZ), and two years thereafter off-treatment (delayed washout)

Inclusion Criteria: good physical health including normal hemoglobin and hematocrit history or documentation of AD dementia in at least one parent, or in two siblings cognitive performance without diagnosable deficit such as dementia, "mild cognitive impairment" must have spouse or companion able to accompany participant for clinic visits six or more years of formal education fluent in either English or French provision of informed consent Exclusion Criteria: no current peptic ulcer disease no history of prior peptic ulcer with bleed, perforation, intestinal obstruction no major psychiatric disturbance no regular use (4 or more doses per week) of aspirin, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), opiate or other pain medication no use, present or past, of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or memantine no regular use of vitamin E at dosage of 600 i.u. no drug or alcohol dependence no allergy to NSAIDs or sulfa antibiotics

Only de-identified data will be made available, after completion of trial including delayed washout phase.

Data will be available for completed trial in March, 2018. Data for delayed washout / continuation phase will be made available at biennial intervals thereafter

Qualified personnel should contact principal investigator and Study Coordinator for Data Sharing Agreement form, which must be completed and reviewed prior to release of data.