BezafibrateTreatment for Bipolar Depression: A Proof of Concept Study

NCT ID: NCT02481245

Last Updated: 2025-10-03

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: PHASE2
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2018-01-11
• Study Completion Date: 2026-02-28

Brief Summary

We propose to test the hypothesis that bezafibrate, a pan-PPAR agonist, may be effective and safe for bipolar depression with the following specific aims:

Aim #1. Proof-of-Concept Safety and Tolerability Aim: To assess the safety and tolerability of bezafibrate added to anti-manic medication for bipolar depression, especially with regard to worsening manic symptoms and suicidal ideation.

We will conduct a phase IIa, 8-week, open pilot trial of bezafibrate added to FDA-approved anti-manic medication in 30 participants with bipolar depression. We will monitor changes in manic symptoms (Young Mania Rating Scale), suicidal ideation, cognitive functioning specifically in attention and verbal memory, and treatment emergent adverse events (SAFTEE). We will also monitor changes in the Framingham Cardiovascular Risk Score.

Aim #2. Preliminary Assessment of Efficacy: To assess the antidepressant efficacy of bezafibrate added to anti-manic medication for acute bipolar I major depressive episodes.

Hypothesis: The bezafibrate group will have a statistically significant decrease in the Montgomery Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS) Scores over 8 weeks. The results of this proof-of concept phase IIa study will help us to plan a placebo-controlled randomized trial. In summary, we propose an 8-week, proof-of-concept open pilot trial of an adjunctive pan-PPAR agonist, bezafibrate, for 30 patients with an acute bipolar I major depressive episode. The study may have a profound impact on the development of a novel treatment consistent with the mitochondrial dysregulation hypothesis of bipolar disorder and, to the best of our knowledge, will be the first proof-of-concept trial to assess a pan-PPAR agonist for bipolar disorder.

Conditions

Bipolar Disorder; Depressive Episode

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorder

30 currently depressed patients with DSM-IV bipolar I or bipolar II disorder who are currently taking an adequate dose of an FDA-approved anti-manic medication will receive Bezafibrate treatment.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Bezafibrate

Intervention Type: DRUG

30 patients with Bipolar I or Bipolar II disorder who are experiencing an acute bipolar depressive episode will be given bezafibrate XR 400 mg daily added on to adequate doses of an FDA-approved anti-manic medication.

Interventions

Bezafibrate

30 patients with Bipolar I or Bipolar II disorder who are experiencing an acute bipolar depressive episode will be given bezafibrate XR 400 mg daily added on to adequate doses of an FDA-approved anti-manic medication.

Intervention Type: DRUG

Other Intervention Names

Bezalip

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Men or women between the ages of 18 and 65 (inclusive)

2. DSM IV diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder Type I or Bipolar Disorder Type II

3. Ability to sign the Informed Consent Form

4. Taking an adequate dose of any FDA-approved anti-manic medication for at least two weeks prior to enrollment

5. Agrees not to change medications during the study

6. Meets criteria for a current major depressive episode as defined and operationalized by the MINI and by a MADRS score of >18 at screen and baseline (randomization)

7. Does not meet criteria for current hypomanic or manic episode as defined and operationalized by the MINI

Exclusion Criteria

1. The following DSM-IV diagnoses: (1) Bipolar NOS, (2) Cyclothymia, (3) Schizoaffective Disorder, (4) organic mental disorders, (5) substance use disorders, including alcohol, active within the 3 months, (6) schizophrenia, (7) delusional disorder, (8) psychotic disorders not elsewhere classified, (9) acute bereavement, (10) severe borderline or antisocial personality disorder, (11) OCD or OCD-spectrum disorders

2. Primary diagnosis of anxiety disorders or patients where the anxiety disorder is the primary focus of treatment

3. Patients with mood congruent or mood incongruent psychotic features

4. Pregnant women or women of child bearing potential who are not using a medically accepted means of contraception (e.g. oral contraceptives, intrauterine device, barrier methods, or total abstinence from intercourse; Depo Provera is acceptable if it is started 3 months prior to enrollment). Women who are nursing

5. Patients who are a serious suicide or homicide risk

6. Suspected or known clinically unstable systemic medical disorder including epilepsy, untreated endocrine disease, unstable angina, recent ulcers or significant esophagitis

7. Conditions which may be negatively affected by bezafibrate treatment, such as hepatobiliary disease

8. Clinical or laboratory evidence of hypothyroidism (if maintained on thyroid medication must be euthyroid for at least 1 month before Visit 1)

9. Subjects having failed two or more trials of somatic therapy (i.e., medications for bipolar depression or FDA-approved devices) during the current bipolar depressive episode

10. Current use of a fibrate or history of anaphylactic reaction or intolerance to fibrates or any component of the preparation

11. History of significant treatment non-adherence or situations where the subjects is unlikely to adhere to treatment, in the opinion of the investigator

12. History of stroke or cerebrovascular disease

13. Type 1 or Type II Diabetes requiring medication treatment treated with Pioglitazone or any other PPAR agonist medication.

14. Current use of of MAO Inhibitors, statins, and anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin)

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

J Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Massachusetts General Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Andrew A. Nierenberg, MD

Director, Dauten Family Center for Bipolar Treatment Innovation

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Andrew A. Nierenberg, M.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Massachusetts General Hospital

Locations

The Dauten Family Center for Bipolar Treatment Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Alec P Shannon, B.S.

Role: CONTACT

apshannon@mgh.harvard.edu

6177241858

Facility Contacts

Alec P Shannon, B.S.

Role: primary

apshannon@mgh.harvard.edu

6177241858

Marina Rakhilin, B.S.

Role: backup

mrakhilin@mgh.harvard.edu

6176436194

Other Identifiers

2014P000862

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id