Chronic Electrical Stimulation of Hypothalamus/Fornix in Alzheimer's Disease

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

PHASE1/PHASE2

Total Enrollment

5 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2009-06-30

Brief Summary

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Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia for which no treatment has shown consistent efficacy to stop or slow down the disease. Recent report of enhancement of memory abilities by bilateral chronic deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the fornix in the hypothalamus suggests that neuromodulation of circuits involved in memory processes may have therapeutic implications in AD patients with memory decline.

The primary objectives of this prospective, non-controlled, pilot study are to evaluate the feasibility and safety of DBS in AD patients with mild cognitive and memory impairment, and to evaluate the efficacy of DBS to slow down or stabilize this decline. Five patients with AD (DSM IV) diagnosed less than two years, with mild cognitive decline (MMSE 20-24), and specific impairment of episodic memory will be included in a 2-year period. The evaluation criteria for feasibility will be the proportion of patients undergoing the procedure, chronic stimulation and evaluation process without adverse event (AE). Efficacy will be evaluated using numerous cognitive and memory testing. Changes in behavioral and mood scales, and changes in hypothalamic functions (clinical, biological and hormonal assessment) will evaluate safety and tolerance. Clinical, neuro-psychological, biological and imaging assessment will be performed 3 and one month before and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Bilateral electrodes (Medtronic 3389) will be implanted, by MR-guided frame-based stereotaxy, in the hypothalamic part of the fornix, and then connected to the generator (Kinetra, Medtronic). Chronic high-frequency stimulation will be delivered immediately after surgery.

The investigators expect to slow down, or to stabilize the spontaneous decline of MMSE and ADAS scores after 6, 12 and 24 months of stimulation. In case of efficacy, DBS might offer to AD patient the possibility to slow down/stabilize their symptoms, which no other treatment can currently offer, and to increase their quality of life.

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Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Alzheimer's Disease

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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ARM A

Bilateral chronic electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus/fornix

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Bilateral chronic electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus/fornix

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Clinical, neuro-psychological, biological and imaging assessment will be performed 3 and one month before and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Bilateral electrodes (Medtronic 3389) will be implanted, under local anesthesia, by MR-guided frame-based stereotaxy, in the hypothalamic part of the fornix, before its entry in the mamillary body (well defined on T2 weighted sequences). Intra-operative stimulation will be used to search adverse effects or acute effects. Electrodes will be connected to the generator (Kinetra, Medtronic) under general anesthesia. Chronic high-frequency stimulation will be delivered immediately after surgery.

Interventions

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Bilateral chronic electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus/fornix

Clinical, neuro-psychological, biological and imaging assessment will be performed 3 and one month before and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Bilateral electrodes (Medtronic 3389) will be implanted, under local anesthesia, by MR-guided frame-based stereotaxy, in the hypothalamic part of the fornix, before its entry in the mamillary body (well defined on T2 weighted sequences). Intra-operative stimulation will be used to search adverse effects or acute effects. Electrodes will be connected to the generator (Kinetra, Medtronic) under general anesthesia. Chronic high-frequency stimulation will be delivered immediately after surgery.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* patients with AD (DSM IV) diagnosed less than 2 years
* age between 50 and 65
* mild cognitive decline (MMSE between 20 and 24)
* specific impairment of episodic memory (evaluated by Grober\&Buschke scale)
* able to give and sign an informed consent
* affiliated to the French national health and pensions organization

Exclusion Criteria

* associated DSM I axis pathology
* contra-indication to surgery or MRI
* preoperative MRI abnormalities
* retraction of consent by the patient
* decision of the promoter to stop the study

Minimum Eligible Age

50 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No