Clinical trial NCT01383161: 18-Month Study of Memory Effects of Curcumin
Official title: 18-Month Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Curcumin
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: PHASE2
Conditions: Age-associated Cognitive Impairment
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Keywords: Curcumin
Turmeric
Memory
Cognitive Impairment
Brain Imaging
Supplement
Lead sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2011-06-28
Enrollment: 46
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 50
Maximum age (years): 90
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Brief summary: This project is designed to study the effects of the dietary supplement curcumin on age-related cognitive impairment. In particular, the study seeks to determine the effects of curcumin on cognitive decline and the amount of abnormal amyloid protein in the brain. Genetic risk will also be studied as a potential predictor of cognitive decline.

Subjects will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: either a placebo twice daily or the curcumin supplement (Theracurmin®, containing 90 mg of curcumin). The investigators expect that the volunteers receiving the curcumin supplement will show less evidence of decline after 18 months than those receiving the placebo. The investigators predict that cognitive decline and treatment response will vary according to genetic risk for Alzheimer's.

The investigators will study subjects with memory complaints aged 50-90 years. Initially, subjects will undergo a clinical assessment, an MRI and a blood draw to determine genetic risk and to rule out other neurodegenerative disorders linked to memory complaints. Subsequently, subjects will undergo an -(1-{6-\[(2-\[F-18\]fluoroethyl)(methyl)amino\]-2-naphthyl}ethylidene)malononitrile (FDDNP) PET scan and a baseline neuropsychological assessment to confirm a diagnosis of MCI or normal aging. Once enrolled, subjects will begin taking the supplement (either curcumin or a placebo). Some of the initial subjects will be asked to return every three months for regular MRIs. Every 6 months, subjects will also receive neuropsychological assessments. At the conclusion of the study, subjects will be asked to complete a final neuropsychological assessment, MRI scan, PET scan and blood draw. Additional blood will be drawn at baseline and at 18 months and frozen to assess inflammatory markers if cognitive outcomes are positive.

FDDNP-PET scans will be used to measure the amount of abnormal amyloid plaque- and tau tangle-proteins in the brain; the MRIs will be used to monitor supplement side effects and measure brain structure; the neuropsychological assessments will monitor rates of cognitive decline; the blood draws will be used to determine genetic risk and to test levels of inflammatory markers.

Detailed description: Several lines of evidence suggest that the neuropathological and clinical decline leading to Alzheimer disease (AD) begins years before patients develop the full AD clinical syndrome (NINCDS-ADRDA diagnostic criteria; McKhann et al, 1984). Mild memory complaints build gradually years before patients develop dementia. The neuropathological hallmarks of AD, "preclinical" neuritic plaques (Braak \& Braak, 1991) and neurofibrillary tangles (Price \& Morris, 1999), are also present years prior to clinical diagnosis. These abnormal protein deposits correlate strongly with cognitive decline.

Preclinical amyloid deposits may begin decades prior to dementia onset. In fact, diffuse plaques in non-demented elderly persons are associated with an accelerated age-related cortical cholinergic deficit, consistent with preclinical AD (Beach et al, 1997; Arai et al, 1999). Also consistent with a prolonged preclinical disease stage is our own work showing that position emission tomography (PET) measures of cerebral glucose metabolism vary according to AD genetic risk (apolipoprotein E-4 \[APOE-4\]) and predict cerebral metabolic and cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive complaints (age-associated memory impairment \[AAMI\]; Small et al, 2000). Such observations have stimulated interest in preclinical AD markers or biomarkers of brain aging that may assist in tracking treatments of AAMI and related conditions. New PET imaging methods now make it possible to provide in vivo measures of cerebral amyloid neuritic plaques (e.g., florbetapir-PET; Clarke et al, 2011) and tau neurofibrillary tangles (e.g. FDDNP-PET; Small et al, 2006, 2009).

Despite these previous research findings, clinical trials (including those using biomarkers as response measures) and subsequent treatment recommendations have been limited to patients with the full clinical dementia syndrome or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition that increases the risk for developing dementia (Petersen et al, 2001). Cholinesterase inhibitors are currently the only drugs that have FDA clearance for treatment of AD, but previous studies (e.g., Ringman et al, 2005) suggest that other interventions, such as dietary or herbal supplements, may benefit cognition, and possibly interrupt the accumulation of abnormal amyloid protein deposits in the brain. For example, curcumin (diferulomethane), a low molecular weight molecule with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that is derived from dietary spice, may have both cognitive-enhancing and anti-amyloid properties (Ringman et al, 2005; Yang et al, 2005).

To address such issues, the investigators propose to build upon our group's previous longitudinal brain imaging and genetic risk studies in people with age-related memory decline. Because previous studies suggest that curcumin may improve cognitive ability and prevent the build-up of age-associated plaques and tangles in the brain, the investigators will perform a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of curcumin to test the following hypotheses:

1. People with age-related cognitive decline (i.e., MCI, AAMI or normal aging),, who receive curcumin 90 mg twice each day will show less evidence of cognitive decline (as measured with neuropsychological assessments) than those receiving placebo after 18 months.
2. People with age-related cognitive decline who receive an oral dose of curcumin 90 mg twice each day will show less build-up of plaques and tangles (as measured with FDDNP-PET imaging) than those receiving placebo after 18 months.
3. People with age-related cognitive decline, who receive curcumin 90 mg twice each day, will show decreased measures of inflammation in the blood compared with those receiving placebo after 18 months.
4. Cognitive change, FDDNP-PET measures, and treatment response will vary according to genotypes found to influence age at dementia onset (e.g., apolipoprotein E \[APOE\] TOMM40).

Because curcumin may alter inflammatory markers in the blood, the investigators will draw blood samples at baseline and at 18 months and freeze them for later analyses.

To test theses hypotheses, subjects with age-related cognitive decline will be enrolled (Crook et al, 1986; Petersen et al, 2001). Subjects will be randomized, using a double-blind design, to one of two treatment groups: curcumin (three 30 mg capsules twice each day) or placebo, and followed for 18 months. FDDNP-PET scanning will be performed at baseline and at 18 months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans also will be performed for co-registration of PET and assistance in identifying regions of interest. Neuropsychological assessments will be performed at baseline, 6 months, 12 months and at the conclusion of the clinical trial (18 months). Blood will be drawn at baseline to perform genotyping.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria

1. Agreement to participate in the 18-month double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of curcumin.
2. Diagnostic criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or any age related memory decline according to standard criteria (Petersen et al, 2001; Crook et al, 1986).
3. Age 50 to 90 years.
4. No significant cerebrovascular disease: modified Ischemic Score of \< 4 (Rosen et al, 1980).
5. Adequate visual and auditory acuity to allow neuropsychological testing.
6. Screening laboratory tests and EKG without significant abnormalities that might interfere with the study.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) or any other dementia (e.g., vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal) (McKhann et al, 1984).
2. Evidence of other neurological or physical illness that can produce cognitive deterioration. Volunteers with a history of stroke, TIA, carotid bruits, or lacunes on MRI scans will be excluded.
3. Inability to undergo MRI.
4. Evidence of Parkinson's disease as determined by the motor examination (items 18-31) of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (Fahn et al, 1987).
5. History of myocardial infarction within the previous year, or unstable cardiac disease.
6. Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic BP \> 170 or diastolic BP \> 100).
7. History of significant liver disease, clinically-significant pulmonary disease, diabetes, or cancer.
8. Current diagnosis of any major psychiatric disorder according to the DSM-IV TR criteria (APA, 2000).
9. Current diagnosis or history of alcoholism or substance addiction.
10. Regular use of any medication that may affect cognitive functioning including: centrally active beta-blockers, narcotics, Clonidine, anti-Parkinsonian medications, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, systemic corticosteroids, medications with significant cholinergic or anticholinergic effects, anti-convulsants, or Warfarin. Occasional chloral hydrate use will be allowed, but discouraged, for insomnia.
11. Use of more than one multivitamin per day. Vitamins other than the standard multivitamin supplement will not be allowed.
12. Use of medications known to affect FDDNP-PET binding (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen).
13. Use of more than one daily baby aspirin (81mg) and/or use of any medication containing curcumin.
14. Use of cognitive enhancing supplements (e.g. Ginkgo biloba).
15. Use of any investigational drugs within the previous month or longer, depending on drug half-life.
16. Pregnancy.
17. HIV infection.
18. Evidence of vasogenic edema; specifically, evidence of more than 4 cerebral microhemorrhages (regardless of their anatomical location or diagnostic characterization as "possible" or "definite") or a single area of superficial siderosis), or evidence of a prior macrohemorrhage at screening or baseline.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change From Baseline to 18 Months on Brief Visual Memory Test-Revised, Recall
timeFrame: Baseline and 18 Months
measure: Change From Baseline to 18 Months on Brief Visual Memory Test-Revised, Delay
timeFrame: Baseline and 18 Months
measure: Change From Baseline on Buschke Selective Reminding Task, Consistent Long-Term Retrieval
timeFrame: Baseline and 18 Months
measure: Change From Baseline on Buschke Selective Reminding Task, Total Score
timeFrame: Baseline and 18 Months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Change From Baseline to 18 Months on Trail Making Test, Part A
timeFrame: Baseline and 18 Months
measure: Change From Baseline to 18 Months on Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
timeFrame: Baseline and 18 Months
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Los Angeles
country: United States
facility: UCLA Longevity Center
state: California
Study officials:
affiliation: UCLA Longevity Center
name: Gary W Small, MD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Arai T, Ikeda K, Akiyama H, Haga C, Usami M, Sahara N, Iritani S, Mori H. A high incidence of apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele in middle-aged non-demented subjects with cerebral amyloid beta protein deposits. Acta Neuropathol. 1999 Jan;97(1):82-4. doi: 10.1007/s004010050958.
citation: Beach TG, Honer WG, Hughes LH. Cholinergic fibre loss associated with diffuse plaques in the non-demented elderly: the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease? Acta Neuropathol. 1997 Feb;93(2):146-53. doi: 10.1007/s004010050595.
citation: Braak H, Braak E. Neuropathological stageing of Alzheimer-related changes. Acta Neuropathol. 1991;82(4):239-59. doi: 10.1007/BF00308809.
citation: McKhann G, Drachman D, Folstein M, Katzman R, Price D, Stadlan EM. Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: report of the NINCDS-ADRDA Work Group under the auspices of Department of Health and Human Services Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease. Neurology. 1984 Jul;34(7):939-44. doi: 10.1212/wnl.34.7.939.
citation: Petersen RC, Stevens JC, Ganguli M, Tangalos EG, Cummings JL, DeKosky ST. Practice parameter: early detection of dementia: mild cognitive impairment (an evidence-based review) [RETIRED]. Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2001 May 8;56(9):1133-42. doi: 10.1212/wnl.56.9.1133.
citation: Price JL, Morris JC. Tangles and plaques in nondemented aging and "preclinical" Alzheimer's disease. Ann Neurol. 1999 Mar;45(3):358-68. doi: 10.1002/1531-8249(199903)45:33.0.co;2-x.
citation: Reiman EM, Caselli RJ, Yun LS, Chen K, Bandy D, Minoshima S, Thibodeau SN, Osborne D. Preclinical evidence of Alzheimer's disease in persons homozygous for the epsilon 4 allele for apolipoprotein E. N Engl J Med. 1996 Mar 21;334(12):752-8. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199603213341202.
citation: Shoghi-Jadid K, Small GW, Agdeppa ED, Kepe V, Ercoli LM, Siddarth P, Read S, Satyamurthy N, Petric A, Huang SC, Barrio JR. Localization of neurofibrillary tangles and beta-amyloid plaques in the brains of living patients with Alzheimer disease. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2002 Jan-Feb;10(1):24-35.
citation: Small GW, Ercoli LM, Silverman DH, Huang SC, Komo S, Bookheimer SY, Lavretsky H, Miller K, Siddarth P, Rasgon NL, Mazziotta JC, Saxena S, Wu HM, Mega MS, Cummings JL, Saunders AM, Pericak-Vance MA, Roses AD, Barrio JR, Phelps ME. Cerebral metabolic and cognitive decline in persons at genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2000 May 23;97(11):6037-42. doi: 10.1073/pnas.090106797.
citation: Small GW, Mazziotta JC, Collins MT, Baxter LR, Phelps ME, Mandelkern MA, Kaplan A, La Rue A, Adamson CF, Chang L, et al. Apolipoprotein E type 4 allele and cerebral glucose metabolism in relatives at risk for familial Alzheimer disease. JAMA. 1995 Mar 22-29;273(12):942-7.
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