Statin TReatment for COVID-19 to Optimise NeuroloGical recovERy

NCT ID: NCT04904536

Last Updated: 2025-04-10

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: PHASE3
• Total Enrollment: 190 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-03-10
• Study Completion Date: 2025-07-30

Brief Summary

STRONGER is an international, investigator initiated and conducted, pragmatic clinical trial to determine whether 40mg atorvastatin daily can improve neurocognitive function in adults with long COVID neurological symptoms. The objective is to determine effectiveness of treatment with 40mg atorvastatin over 12 months on attenuating cognitive decline and neuroinflammatory biomarkers in adults with long COVID neurological symptoms. The study design is a prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) study of atorvastatin 40mg on top of standard care, in patients with long COVID neurological symptoms.

Detailed Description

Question: Does treatment with 40mg atorvastatin over 12 months attenuate cognitive decline and neuroinflammatory biomarkers in adults with long COVID neurological symptoms? Aims: In 410 adults who report ongoing alteration of their memory, thinking, concentration or mood after COVID-19 diagnosis, this pragmatic clinical trial aims to determine the effects of standard-dose atorvastatin on improving neurological outcomes with sensitive measures of cognitive function and brain MRI.

Outcome measures include; Primary - processing speed, assessed on the oral Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Key Secondary - white matter free water measured on diffusion MRI brain imaging. Other - other components of cognitive function; other health assessments; other MRI markers of cerebral white matter integrity, iron load, cerebral perfusion, and glutathione for oxidative stress; cost-effectiveness compared to standard care. The study sites are established at centralised research clinics located at: The Brain and Mind Centre of the University of Sydney; Alfred Medical Centre linked to Monash University, a research clinic associated with Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile, and a research clinic associated with The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Additional sites may be set up as required.

Conditions

Neurocognitive Impairment, Mild

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Study Medication Arm

6-monthly supplies of atorvastatin 40mg on top of standard care for a period of 12 months.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Atorvastatin

Intervention Type: DRUG

40mg atorvastatin + standard care daily for 12 months.Atorvastatin 40mg has TGA approval for general marketing for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia and cardiovascular prevention under a number of manufacturer names.The study medication selected will be the atorvastatin 40mg (Apotex) which is scored, and allows down-titration to 20mg should a participant develop symptoms.The study medication will be packaged, labelled and dispensed directly to particpants by the Syntro Health pharmacy in Australia. A comparable atorvastatin 40mg is being sourced in Chile, and will be dispensed from the pharmacy of the Clínica Alemana de Santiago. Similarly, a comparable atorvastatin 40mg is being sourced in Hong Kong, and will be dispensed from the site's pharmacy.

Standard Care Arm

Standard care for a period of 12 months.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard Care

Intervention Type: OTHER

Standard care for neurological symptoms as a result of COVID-19 infection.

Interventions

Atorvastatin

40mg atorvastatin + standard care daily for 12 months.Atorvastatin 40mg has TGA approval for general marketing for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia and cardiovascular prevention under a number of manufacturer names.The study medication selected will be the atorvastatin 40mg (Apotex) which is scored, and allows down-titration to 20mg should a participant develop symptoms.The study medication will be packaged, labelled and dispensed directly to particpants by the Syntro Health pharmacy in Australia. A comparable atorvastatin 40mg is being sourced in Chile, and will be dispensed from the pharmacy of the Clínica Alemana de Santiago. Similarly, a comparable atorvastatin 40mg is being sourced in Hong Kong, and will be dispensed from the site's pharmacy.

Intervention Type: DRUG

Standard Care

Standard care for neurological symptoms as a result of COVID-19 infection.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age ≥18 years
• History of COVID-19 that is confirmed by a positive polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) test,rapid antigen test (RAT) or as per the state guidelines for COVID-19 diagnosis at the time of screening
• Any ongoing neurological symptoms as a result of COVID-19 (e.g. problems with memory, concentration, sleep disturbance and fatigue) that are identified through administration of the checklist of symptoms on the Somatic and Psychological Health Report (SPHERE) questionnaire, or reported loss of smell (anosmia)
• Able to fully participate in all procedures, including cognitive assessments
• Able and willing to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

• Evidence of dementia and/or significant cognitive impairment on screening (i.e: Blind Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA] score <19/22 in conjunction with clinical assessment)
• Severe co-morbid medical or psychiatric condition that prevents participation
• History of traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness (>30 mins) within the last 2 years
• Ongoing long-term use for a clear indication (e.g. secondary cardiovascular prevention in high-risk individuals) or any contraindication (e.g. previous adverse reaction) of statin use
• Evidence of severe or significant liver disease, defined as any of the following: acute viral hepatitis; chronic active hepatitis; chronic active hepatitis; cirrhosis; or elevated biochemical function markers i.e. ALT or AST >3x the ULN or eGFR <30mL/min/1.73m2
• Creatine kinase (CK) levels > 2x upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Female of child-bearing potential that is unable or unwilling to use reliable method of contraception, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy
• For a sub-group of participants undergoing MRI - any contraindication to MRI due to metallic body parts or claustrophobia
• Medical history of a disorder that might, in the opinion of the attending clinician, put the participant at significant risk if they were to participate in the trial

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

Sponsors

University of Sydney

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Monash University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

The Alfred

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Universidad del Desarrollo

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Chinese University of Hong Kong

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Clinica Alemana de Santiago

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

The George Institute

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Craig Anderson, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

The George Institute

Locations

The George Institute for Global Health

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Countries

Australia

References

Delfino C, Carcel C, Lin X, Munoz-Venturelli P, Naismith SL, Woodward M, Peters R, Wijesuriya N, Law M, Harding IH, Wang X, Elliott J, Leder K, Hutchings O, Stecher X, Zoungas S, Anderson CS. STatin TReatment for COVID-19 to Optimise NeuroloGical recovERy (STRONGER): study protocol for a randomised, open label clinical trial in patients with persistent neurological symptoms after COVID-19 infection. BMJ Open. 2025 Apr 14;15(4):e089382. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089382.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 40228860 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Other Identifiers

X21-0113

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id