Dopaminergic Therapy for Frontotemporal Dementia Patients
Italy75 participantsStarted 2021-06-03
Plain-language summary
This is a phase IIa 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Rotigotine (RTG) transdermal administration at the dosage of 4 mg or 6 mg per day versus Placebo (PLC) in newly diagnosed behavioural Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD) patients. 75 patients with a diagnosis of probable bvFTD will be randomly allocated to the 3 treatment arms (RTG 4mg/day, RTG 6mg/day or PLC), with 25 patients per group. Clinical and neurophysiological measurements and brain metabolism via FDG-PET will be collected before and after drug administration.
Who can participate
Age range
40 Years – 80 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. The patient has a diagnosis of probable Frontotemporal dementia behavioural variant (bv-FTD) based on the International consensus clinical diagnostic criteria described by Rascovsky et al., 2011.
. The patient is a man or a woman, aged from 40 to 80 years.
. The patient has a Clinical Dementia Rating-FTD (CDR-FTD) total score of ≤2 at Screening.
. The patient has not been treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI), i.e., donepezil, galantamine, or rivastigmine, at the time of screening.
. The patient is able to comply with the study procedures in the view of the investigator.
. Evidence of frontotemporal hypometabolism at PET imaging.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
. Evidence of amyloid markers excluding Alzheimer's disease (cerebrospinal fluid Abeta/Tau dosages or amyloid PET imaging).
. Signature and date of written ICF prior to entering in the study
Exclusion criteria
. Significant neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system other than FTD e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, progressive supranuclear palsy, normal pressure hydrocephalus, Huntington's disease, any condition directly or indirectly caused by Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE), Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), or new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (nvCJD)
. Significant intracranial focal or vascular pathology seen on brain MRI scan within a maximum of 6 months before Baseline leading to a diagnosis other than probable FTD.
. The patients has history of seizure (with the exception of febrile seizures in childhood).
. Metal implants in the head (except dental), pacemaker, cochlear implants, or any other non-removable items that are contraindications to MR imaging.
. Treatment currently or within 3 months before Baseline with any of the following medications: Typical and Atypical antipsychotics (i.e., Clozapine, Olanzapine); Antiepileptics drugs (i.e., Carbamazepine, Primidone, Pregabalin, Gabapentin); Antidepressants (i.e., Citalopram, Duolxetine, Paroxetine).