Precision Medicine Approach for Early Dementia & Mild Cognitive Impairment

NCT ID: NCT05894954

Last Updated: 2025-03-11

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

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE3

Total Enrollment

72 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-07-31

Study Completion Date

2026-04-30

Brief Summary

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The goal of this clinical trial is to compare a precision medicine approach to the standard-of-care for people with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia. Precision medicine approach starts with the completion of many tests and then the study doctor uses the test results to carefully prepare a treatment plan that is best for the individual person to help treat many of the underlying causes of mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia.

The main question the study aims to answer is:

• Does the precision medicine approach improve memory (cognitive function) better than the current standard-of-care treatment in people with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia during a 9-month treatment period? This is a randomized clinical trial which means that a group of people that meet the study requirements will be assigned at random or by chance (like toss of a coin) to receive either the precision medicine treatment or the current gold standard (standard-of-care). People assigned to the precision medicine group will receive precision medicine for 9-months while those assigned to the standard-of-care group will follow that approach for 9-months, followed by an opportunity to receive up to six months of precision medicine, if desired.

Participants will be asked to:

* Have their blood drawn for extensive lab testing and collect urine and stool samples as well
* Carefully follow instructions received from their study doctor and study team
* Make lifestyle changes as prescribed by the study doctor and study team based on your precision medicine program
* Take supplements and medications prescribed by the study doctor.
* Once officially in the study (after meeting study entry or screening requirements), participate in ten (10) monthly visits with the study doctor, and other members of the study team as scheduled.
* Complete cognitive tests at scheduled visits during the study
* Have a study partner with you during visits and to help support you on the program Researchers will compare test results between the two study groups to see if the precision medicine approach improves those tests results over the time of the study, resulting in the improvement of cognition over a 9-month treatment period.

Detailed Description

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The precision medicine treatment approach to be evaluated in this clinical trial is a novel, functional, lifestyle intervention for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia. The protocol focuses on optimization of a diverse set of metabolic parameters coupled with lifestyle medicine and clinical nutrition strategies that address the mismatch in these contributors. The approach is personalized for each participant and based on more than 150 data points, including lab evaluations, brain scans, genomic evaluation, cognitive testing, and a detailed medical and family history. Importantly, this progressive treatment approach is based on continued optimization through iterative treatment and metabolic characterization.

The precision medicine treatment approach includes a core set of interventions (Precision Medicine-Core) and a set of interventions that are based on the clinical subtype of dementia (Precision Medicine-Cognitive Subtypes). All participants randomized to the precision medicine treatment approach group will receive the core treatment program. The elements of the core treatment program include diet, physical exercise, mental exercise, sleep optimization, and stress reduction.

In addition, all participants randomized to the precision medicine treatment approach will be evaluated for all putative or potential underlying drivers of dementia including: 1) inflammatory factors (Type 1 Inflammatory), 2) glycotoxic factors (Type 1.5 Glycotoxic), 3) atrophic factors (Type 2 Atrophic), toxic factors (Type 3 Toxic), vascular factors (Type 4 Vascular), and traumatic factors (Type 5 Head Trauma).

This study will use a pragmatic, randomized, multicenter, control group design in which participants will be randomized to a 9-month precision medicine treatment approach or a 9-month standard-of-care treatment approach. Participants in the standard-of-care group will receive the standard-of-care mild cognitive impairment and early-stage dementia. Following completion of the 9-month intervention period, participants in the standard-of-care group will be eligible to receive the precision medicine treatment approach.

During the course of the 9-month precision medicine treatment approach, participants and study partners will be scheduled for regular visits with members of the study team at each practice. These visits will be scheduled at approximately 4-week intervals following randomization. Cognitive function tests will be performed at baseline (Visit 1), Month 3 (Visit 4), Month 6 (Visit 7), and Month 9 (Visit 10). Cognitive testing includes the MoCA to be performed by a blinded psychometrician prior to randomization and then 1-2 weeks before the 3-, 6-, and 9-month visits. The CNS Vital Signs will be performed by each staff at each of the six participating sites. Participants in the standard-of-care treatment group will complete a similar set of visits at the same intervals during this time.

A final follow-up visit will occur within 4 weeks of completion of Visit 10 to complete all effectiveness and safety follow-up assessments. Following completion of the final follow-up visit, all participants in the standard-of-care treatment group will be eligible for initiation of a 6-month precision medicine treatment approach. Safety data will be collected for participants in both groups through completion of the 6-month precision medicine intervention period for participants initially randomized to the standard-of-care treatment group. Periodic unblinded safety reviews are planned at approximately 1-month intervals for the full duration of the trial. These reviews will be conducted by the Study Oversight and Safety Review Committee.

Participants will be enrolled from six geographically-diverse clinical practices and randomized to either the precision medicine treatment approach (Group A) or the standard-of-care control group (Group B). The population to be enrolled will be heterogenous in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics of their cognitive dysfunctions. In addition, the precision medicine intervention will be heterogenous because, by definition, precision medicine is personalized to target the specific metabolic abnormalities that are identified in each participant as uniquely associated with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia. Given the real-world settings, heterogeneity in study participants, and heterogeneity of the specific precision medicine components, a pragmatic, randomized, controlled trial will provide the best evaluation of the precision medicine treatment approach while offering maximum external validity and the ability to generalize findings from this study to precision medicine practice settings and patients who are treated in the US.

Conditions

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Mild Cognitive Impairment Dementia, Mild

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants will be randomized to one of two treatment groups. Group A is Precision Medicine Approach and Group B is the Standard-of-Care (Control) Group. Both groups will be on study for 9 months. Biomarker tests and cognition tests will be conducted in both groups at baseline, defined visits during the study and again at end of the 9-month period.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
A masked psychometrician will conduct the Montreal Cognitive Assessments (MoCA) and Alzheimers Questionnaires.

Study Groups

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Group A (Precision Medicine)

Precision Medicine approach starts with a battery of tests and questionnaires to determine a person's underlying causes of cognition impairment. A custom treatment program is developed and prescribed by the investigator based on the test results and includes a combination of: supplements, medications, hormone therapy, dietary changes, exercise program, brain exercises, stress management, sleep tracking. Additional treatments may include QEEG and photobiomodulation, neurostimulation, neurofeedback and/or hyperbaric oxygen treatment (additional treatment are only available at select sites). Participants in this Group will also be supported in their program by a nutritionist, health coach, and fitness trainer, in addition to the study doctor. Tracking of study activities may also be required in the form of diaries, and devices will be used to track some of their activities such as sleep, stress, diet and exercise.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Precision Medicine Approach

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Precisions Medicine Approach involves a combination of medicines, dietary supplements, lifestyle changes, and diagnostics

Hormones and Medications tailored to lab tests, combined with devices that support stress management and brain exercises

Intervention Type COMBINATION_PRODUCT

Tailored Medications and Devices to address imbalances per lab results, known to affect cognitive function:

Potential Devices: Oura Ring, Continuous Glucose Monitor, Keto-Mojo, and Heartmath Inner Balance. Few may receive Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment, neurostimulation, neurofeedback, neurostimulation to reduce stress and relax the body), photobiomodulation (light therapy), or CPAP.

Atrophic subtype support may include: estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, pregnenolone, levothyroxine, liothyronine, hydrocortisone.

Bacterial or Viral infection treatment may include: Doxycycline, Minocycline, Nitazoxanide, Hydroxychloroquine, Rifampin, Dapsone, Azithromycin, Tetracycline, Benzathine Penicillin G, Methylene Blue, Nystatin, Clotrimazole, Metronidazole, Valacyclovir, Acyclovir, Famciclovir, Shingles Vaccine Vascular treatments may include: antihypertensives, Ubrelvy, aspirin, Eliquis

Lifestyle including diet, exercise, stress management

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Combining a tailored diet, exercise and stress management program supported by coaching specialists

Group B (Standard-of-Care)

Standard-of-care treatment will be based on the practice guideline of hte Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Participants in this group will be guided according to the recommendations which include recommending:

* participation in cognitively and socially-stimulation activities
* regular exercise
* ensuring quality sleep including treatment of any sleep apnea
* control of any modifiable risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and avoidance of tobacco use
* evaluation by a primary care physician
* adherence to a healthy and balanced diet
* consult a neurologist or primary care physician regarding use of medications
* consult with their primary care physician to identify any worsening conditions

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard-of-Care

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participate in cognitively stimulating and social activities, exercise, sleep, control risk factors, adhere to a health diet, consult physician if conditions worsen

Interventions

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Precision Medicine Approach

Precisions Medicine Approach involves a combination of medicines, dietary supplements, lifestyle changes, and diagnostics

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Hormones and Medications tailored to lab tests, combined with devices that support stress management and brain exercises

Tailored Medications and Devices to address imbalances per lab results, known to affect cognitive function:

Potential Devices: Oura Ring, Continuous Glucose Monitor, Keto-Mojo, and Heartmath Inner Balance. Few may receive Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment, neurostimulation, neurofeedback, neurostimulation to reduce stress and relax the body), photobiomodulation (light therapy), or CPAP.

Atrophic subtype support may include: estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, pregnenolone, levothyroxine, liothyronine, hydrocortisone.

Bacterial or Viral infection treatment may include: Doxycycline, Minocycline, Nitazoxanide, Hydroxychloroquine, Rifampin, Dapsone, Azithromycin, Tetracycline, Benzathine Penicillin G, Methylene Blue, Nystatin, Clotrimazole, Metronidazole, Valacyclovir, Acyclovir, Famciclovir, Shingles Vaccine Vascular treatments may include: antihypertensives, Ubrelvy, aspirin, Eliquis

Intervention Type COMBINATION_PRODUCT

Standard-of-Care

Participate in cognitively stimulating and social activities, exercise, sleep, control risk factors, adhere to a health diet, consult physician if conditions worsen

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Lifestyle including diet, exercise, stress management

Combining a tailored diet, exercise and stress management program supported by coaching specialists

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

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ReCODE Academy of Neurology practice guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Provide signed informed consent
* Adults of any gender, race, or ethnicity and aged 45 to 76 years at time of enrollment
* Cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia as demonstrated by combination of AQ-21 score \>4 and either:
* MoCA 18-26, inclusive, or
* greater than or equal 2 scores in the bottom 50th percentilve for NCI or Executive Function, Verbal, Visual, or Composite sub-tests
* Proficient in spoken and written English for informed consent and study procedures
* Have a willing and able study partner to support participant with compliance and all aspects of teh protocol and provide input for subjective ratings of the participant's cognitive status. The study partner must interact with teh participant frequently (live with or have daily contact with participant), and have sufficiently close relationship to observe and understand participant's difficulties with memor and activities of daily living.
* All exisiting medical conditions and any current medication dosages must be stable
* Have regular access to computer and internet connection and an iOS or Android Smartphone or tablet capable of connecting to devices and applications used in the study
* Ability to use a computer and web interface, or have readily available assistance to facilitate the use of a computer and web interface
* Ability to converse with a coach or provider virtually to access the virtual coaching aspects of the treatment approach
* Willing and able to follow the protocol procesured and testing, including changes in diet, lifestyle, supplements, and medications
* Willing to have at least one home visit by the study health coach, including home evaluation for toxins or mold
* Willingness to remediate and/or move away from identifies sources of toxicity such as molds or other toxins or infections or dental decay
* Willingness to comply with COVID prevention precautions
* Participants taking Aricept will be considered if they have been using Aricept for at least 90 days prior to study adminission. Must be on a stable dose for at least 90-days prior to screening and agree to remian on the same dose throughout the course of the study.
* Women who are premenopausal and sexually active must be willing to use appropriate contraception and have repeated pregnancy tests as indicated
* Willing to have an MRI and coronary artery calcium scan
* Live within 1-1.5 hours of the study site
* Women only: willing to complete the health screening exams and remediate any health issues detected during these screening exams: 1) Mammogram within 12 months of randomization; 2) Pelvic exam within 12 moths for women less than 60 years or pelvic exam within 24 months if 60 years or older.

Exclusion Criteria

* Presence of any uncontrolled major medical illness, seizures, or cardiovascular disease
* Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes
* Presence of any major psychiatric diagnoses that impact the performance of activities of daily living or functioning, other than those related to cognitive decline
* Use of psychoactive medications known to impact cognition, unless willing and eligible to discontinue
* Use of chronic anticoagulation therapy, other than prophylactic aspirin or proteolytic enzymes, or a history of recurrent deep vein thrombosis
* MRI findings of hydrocephalus, focal stroke, extinsive white matter disease or brain tumor
* Prior traumatic brain injury of sufficient severity to impact functioning on a regular basis
* Diagnosis of cancer in past 5 years, or any history or breast cancer; exclusive of melanoma skin cancers or ductal carcinoma in situ.
* Positive test for HIV, Hepatitis C, or RPR (rapid plasma reagin)
* Menopausal and perimenopausal women who are unwilling or unable to use bioidentical hormone replacement therapy
* Positive preganance test
* Presence of an existing daignosis of non-Alzheimer's neurodegenerative disorders such as Lewy Body Disease, Frontotemporal Disease, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, Korsakoff's Syndrome, etc.
* A diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease as the primary cause of cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia
* Lack of adequate support from a study partner to assist with study adherence
* Inability to exercise
* Inabilty to use a computer with or without assistance; or no computer access
* Plans to travel or be away from home for more than 2 weeks during the course of the 9-month study
* Previous treatment using dietary changes, comprehensive nutritional support, ReCODE Program, or similar methodology such as functional, integrative, or systems medicine at a level considered by the investigator to interfere with the study goals
* Any contraindication to enclosed MRI
* Unwilling or unable to comply with general study procedures
* Current user of tobacco
* Unwilling or unable to remediate or move away from identified sources of toxicities (molds, toxins, infections, dental decay)
* Use of Aricept off-label
* Two or more CNS-Vital Sign tests are invalid at baseline
Minimum Eligible Age

45 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

76 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Four Winds Foundation

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Alzheimer's Prevention and Reversal Project, Inc.

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Dale Bredesen, MD

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Alzheimer's Prevention and Reversal Project, Inc.

Kat Toups, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Bay Area Wellness

Locations

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True Health Center for Functional Medicine

Folsom, California, United States

Site Status

Ann Hathaway, MD

San Rafael, California, United States

Site Status

Bay Area Wellness

Walnut Creek, California, United States

Site Status

Rezilir Health

Hollywood, Florida, United States

Site Status

Kemper Cognitive Wellness

Rocky River, Ohio, United States

Site Status

MaxWell Clinic, PLC

Brentwood, Tennessee, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Toups K, Hathaway A, Gordon D, Chung H, Raji C, Boyd A, Hill BD, Hausman-Cohen S, Attarha M, Chwa WJ, Jarrett M, Bredesen DE. Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer's Disease: Successful Pilot Project. J Alzheimers Dis. 2022;88(4):1411-1421. doi: 10.3233/JAD-215707.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35811518 (View on PubMed)

Bredesen DE, Amos EC, Canick J, Ackerley M, Raji C, Fiala M, Ahdidan J. Reversal of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. Aging (Albany NY). 2016 Jun;8(6):1250-8. doi: 10.18632/aging.100981.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27294343 (View on PubMed)

Rao RV, Kumar S, Gregory J, Coward C, Okada S, Lipa W, Kelly L, Bredesen DE. ReCODE: A Personalized, Targeted, Multi-Factorial Therapeutic Program for Reversal of Cognitive Decline. Biomedicines. 2021 Sep 29;9(10):1348. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines9101348.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34680464 (View on PubMed)

Bredesen DE. Reversal of cognitive decline: a novel therapeutic program. Aging (Albany NY). 2014 Sep;6(9):707-17. doi: 10.18632/aging.100690.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25324467 (View on PubMed)

McMaster M, Kim S, Clare L, Torres SJ, D'Este C, Anstey KJ. Body, Brain, Life for Cognitive Decline (BBL-CD): protocol for a multidomain dementia risk reduction randomized controlled trial for subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment. Clin Interv Aging. 2018 Nov 21;13:2397-2406. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S182046. eCollection 2018.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30538436 (View on PubMed)

Ross MK, Raji C, Lokken KL, Bredesen DE, Roach JC, Funk CC, Price N, Rappaport N, Hood L, Heath JR. Case Study: A Precision Medicine Approach to Multifactorial Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis Parkinsonism. 2021;11(Suppl 5):018. Epub 2021 Aug 25.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35237464 (View on PubMed)

Shetty P, Youngberg W. Clinical Lifestyle Medicine Strategies for Preventing and Reversing Memory Loss in Alzheimer's. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2018 May 11;12(5):391-395. doi: 10.1177/1559827618766468. eCollection 2018 Sep-Oct.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30283265 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

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http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/551532/the-end-of-alzheimers-by-dale-e-bredesen-md/

Published book describing basis for the precision medicine approach used in this trial

Other Identifiers

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EVANTHEA-2023

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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