Neuronavigation-guided FUS-induced BBB Opening in Alzheimer's Disease Patients and Its Effects on… (NCT06600880) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingPhase 1
Neuronavigation-guided FUS-induced BBB Opening in Alzheimer's Disease Patients and Its Effects on Brain Amyloid and Tau
United States6 participantsStarted 2027-08
Plain-language summary
The primary purpose of this phase 1b study is to further assess the safety and reversibility of focused ultrasound induced blood-brain barrier opening (FUS-BBBO) in participants with Alzheimer´s Disease (AD) using a single-element transducer with neuronavigation guidance. Preliminary results from our phase 1a study demonstrate that our neuronavigation-guided FUS system was capable of safely and transiently open the BBB in participants with AD. The information collected in this new study may be used to design future clinical trials to ultimately provide a viable alternative for treatment of AD in a safe and noninvasive manner.
Our secondary objective includes the assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of FUS-BBBO in reducing amyloid beta and neurofibrillary tangles, the main hallmark pathologies of AD, using PET tracers. Based on our preclinical studies in AD transgenic mouse models, FUS-BBBO alone was able to reduce both the amyloid beta and tau protein load, resulting in improvements in behavioral tasks assessing memory. Therefore, in this new study, the effect of FUS-BBBO on the amyloid beta and tau protein load in patients with AD will be assessed through the use of PET tracers.
Who can participate
Age range
50 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. AD patients will be recruited in person and have to be over 50 years of age and able to give consent. Patients diagnosed with MCI or AD will be included in our study. Other more severe symptomatic patients will be eligible to enroll, as long as they have the ability to consent for their participation. Screening is essential and will be performed by our collaborator and neurologist of the study, Dr. Lawrence Honig, MD at the Taub Institute of Alzheimer's Disease and Aging at Columbia. After the initial screening we will acquire MRI scans as part of the study and finalize enrollment or exclusion of the patient. Inclusion criteria thus include:
* Age greater than 50 years old.
* Diagnosis of MCI or AD. All following criteria must be met:
* MMSE score between 12 and 26.
* Modified Hachinski Ischemia Scale (MHIS) score of \<= 4
* Short form Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score of \<= 6.
* PET scan confirming amyloid plaque load using Amyvid (18F-Florbetapir).
* PET scan confirming tau positivity in the frontal lobe using MK-6240 (F18-Florquinitau).
* Ability to provide informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria. Exclusion criteria include surgeries and other pathologies not associated with AD, as outlined in the following list:
* Prior administration of any amyloid-reducing agent such as aducanumab or lecanemab.
* Contraindication for MRI.
* Contra-indication history or hypersensitivity to MRI contrast agents (e.g., Dotarem) or microbubbles (e.g., Definity, Luma…
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.
What they're measuring
1
Total Number of Individuals With Successful Opening of the BBB