Low Dose Ionizing Radiation Using CT Scans as a Potential Therapy for Alzheimer's Dementia: A Pilot Study
NCT ID: NCT03597360
Last Updated: 2022-03-02
Study Results
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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COMPLETED
NA
4 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2019-01-08
2020-04-01
Brief Summary
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Detailed Description
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The goal of this project is to determine whether low doses of ionizing radiation (LDIR) from repeat CT scanning improves function, cognition and/or behavior in severe AD. This is based upon the treatments given in 2015 to a patient in hospice in the USA with advanced AD. On July 23, she received two CT scans of her brain. Two weeks later she received a third CT scan, and two weeks after this, a fourth CT scan. She partially improved and was discharged to an Alzheimer care home.
In terms of the mechanism whereby CT scanning might lead to improvement, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced abundantly and constantly by aerobic metabolism in all organisms, damaging biomolecules including those in the brain. AD is postulated to be caused by the accumulation of oxidative stress damage in the brain that was not prevented, repaired or removed by the patient's own biological protective mechanisms. These systems, characterized genetically, operate against all toxins regardless of whether they are produced endogenously or by external physical, chemical or biological agents. As people age, their protection systems become progressively weaker. LDIR is postulated to stimulate adaptive protection systems. This may produce beneficial effects including improvement in AD symptoms. With about three-quarters of human tissue being water, most of the initial radiation-induced damage is radiolysis of water, producing ROS and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). LDIR leads to mild oxidative stress and strong signaling, which up-regulates protection.The degree of stimulation likely depends upon individual genetic factors.
CT scans are approved for clinical diagnostic imaging. Approval will be requested from the Research Ethics Board (REB) at Baycrest Health Sciences and from Health Canada to use CT scanning for the experimental treatment of AD. If this pilot study is successful, i.e., if improvement is observed in the participants, then a proposal will be prepared for more comprehensive clinical studies of this novel treatment.
Conditions
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Study Design
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NA
SINGLE_GROUP
TREATMENT
NONE
Study Groups
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CT scan subjects
Three participants with severe Alzheimer's dementia will be studied
CT scan
Participants will receive the first LDIR treatment in one session on the same day, i.e., two CT scans of the brain that delivers a total X-ray dose (CTDIvol)10 of about 80 mGy. Participants will then be transported back to Baycrest Health Sciences. Participants will receive another LDIR treatment, i.e. a single CT scan of the brain (40 mGy), 2 weeks after the first session. They will receive a third LDIR treatment, i.e., a single CT scan of the brain (40 mGy), 2 weeks after the second session. Date, time and X-ray dose will be recorded for each participant and sent to their family physician for entry into in their health record.
Interventions
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CT scan
Participants will receive the first LDIR treatment in one session on the same day, i.e., two CT scans of the brain that delivers a total X-ray dose (CTDIvol)10 of about 80 mGy. Participants will then be transported back to Baycrest Health Sciences. Participants will receive another LDIR treatment, i.e. a single CT scan of the brain (40 mGy), 2 weeks after the first session. They will receive a third LDIR treatment, i.e., a single CT scan of the brain (40 mGy), 2 weeks after the second session. Date, time and X-ray dose will be recorded for each participant and sent to their family physician for entry into in their health record.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
2. Meet the criteria of AD (NIA-AA).
3. If on any of the following medications: acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and/or memantine, participants must be on a stable dose for at least 60 days.
4. Clinically stable for at least 3 months.
Exclusion Criteria
2. Previous history of radiotherapy.
3. Neurological disorder other than AD.
4. Currently receiving other experimental treatments.
5. Clinical or imaging evidence of stroke (with more than 1-2 lacunar infarcts on CT scan or MRI).
6. Major depression, bipolar affective disorder or psychosis.
70 Years
90 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Baycrest
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Jerry M Cuttler
Investigator
Locations
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Baycrest Health Sciences
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Countries
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References
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Ballard C, Gauthier S, Corbett A, Brayne C, Aarsland D, Jones E. Alzheimer's disease. Lancet. 2011 Mar 19;377(9770):1019-31. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61349-9. Epub 2011 Mar 1.
Cuttler JM, Moore ER, Hosfeld VD, Nadolski DL. Treatment of Alzheimer Disease With CT Scans: A Case Report. Dose Response. 2016 Apr 1;14(2):1559325816640073. doi: 10.1177/1559325816640073. eCollection 2016 Apr-Jun.
Cuttler JM, Moore ER, Hosfeld VD, Nadolski DL. Update on a Patient With Alzheimer Disease Treated With CT Scans. Dose Response. 2017 Feb 17;15(1):1559325817693167. doi: 10.1177/1559325817693167. eCollection 2017 Jan-Mar. No abstract available.
Pollycove M, Feinendegen LE. Radiation-induced versus endogenous DNA damage: possible effect of inducible protective responses in mitigating endogenous damage. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2003 Jun;22(6):290-306; discussion 307, 315-7, 319-23. doi: 10.1191/0960327103ht365oa.
Sies H, Berndt C, Jones DP. Oxidative Stress. Annu Rev Biochem. 2017 Jun 20;86:715-748. doi: 10.1146/annurev-biochem-061516-045037. Epub 2017 Apr 24.
Feinendegen LE, Pollycove M, Neumann RD. Low-dose cancer risk modeling must recognize up-regulation of protection. Dose Response. 2009 Dec 10;8(2):227-52. doi: 10.2203/dose-response.09-035.Feinendegen.
Sies H. Hydrogen peroxide as a central redox signaling molecule in physiological oxidative stress: Oxidative eustress. Redox Biol. 2017 Apr;11:613-619. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2016.12.035. Epub 2017 Jan 5.
Sies H, Feinendegen LE. Radiation Hormesis: The Link to Nanomolar Hydrogen Peroxide. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2017 Sep 20;27(9):596-598. doi: 10.1089/ars.2017.7233. Epub 2017 Aug 7.
Feinendegen LE, Cuttler JM. Biological Effects From Low Doses and Dose Rates of Ionizing Radiation: Science in the Service of Protecting Humans, a Synopsis. Health Phys. 2018 Jun;114(6):623-626. doi: 10.1097/HP.0000000000000833.
Manero RM, Casals-Coll M, Sanchez-Benavides G, Rodriguez-de los Reyes ON, Aguilar M, Badenes D, Molinuevo JL, Robles A, Barquero MS, Antunez C, Martinez-Parra C, Frank-Garcia A, Fernandez M, Blesa R, Pena-Casanova J; NEURONORMA Study Team. Diagnostic validity of the Alzheimer's disease functional assessment and change scale in mild cognitive impairment and mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2014;37(5-6):366-75. doi: 10.1159/000350800. Epub 2014 Feb 18.
Panisset M, Roudier M, Saxton J, Boller F. Severe impairment battery. A neuropsychological test for severely demented patients. Arch Neurol. 1994 Jan;51(1):41-5. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1994.00540130067012.
Cohen-Mansfield J. Agitated behaviors in the elderly. II. Preliminary results in the cognitively deteriorated. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1986 Oct;34(10):722-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1986.tb04303.x.
Jack CR Jr, Albert MS, Knopman DS, McKhann GM, Sperling RA, Carrillo MC, Thies B, Phelps CH. Introduction to the recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 2011 May;7(3):257-62. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.03.004. Epub 2011 Apr 21.
Sakamoto K. Radiobiological basis for cancer therapy by total or half-body irradiation. Nonlinearity Biol Toxicol Med. 2004 Oct;2(4):293-316. doi: 10.1080/15401420490900254.
Pollycove M. Radiobiological basis of low-dose irradiation in prevention and therapy of cancer. Dose Response. 2006 Nov 27;5(1):26-38. doi: 10.2203/dose-response.06-112.Pollycove.
Lemon JA, Phan N, Boreham DR. Single CT Scan Prolongs Survival by Extending Cancer Latency in Trp53 Heterozygous Mice. Radiat Res. 2017 Oct;188(4.2):505-511. doi: 10.1667/RR14576.1. Epub 2017 Jul 25.
Lemon JA, Phan N, Boreham DR. Multiple CT Scans Extend Lifespan by Delaying Cancer Progression in Cancer-Prone Mice. Radiat Res. 2017 Oct;188(4.2):495-504. doi: 10.1667/RR14575.1. Epub 2017 Jul 25.
Other Identifiers
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Baycrest REB # 18-02
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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