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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is commonly associated with behavioural changes such as agitation. Severe agitation is important to treat because it not only increases progression of AD and physical health problems (increased falls and weight loss), but it also decreases quality of life and increases caregiver stress. Currently prescribed treatments (i.e., antipsychotics) for agitation in AD do not work in everybody and when they do work the effect is small and they increase the risk of harmful side effects, including death. As a result, there is an urgent need for safer medication options. The cannabinoid nabilone can now be prescribed in capsule form for appetite and pain killing effects. Nabilone's calming effects may benefit those with agitation, and help the weight loss and untreated pain frequently associated with agitation. Through a clinical trial, the investigators hope identify the benefits of nabilone in the treatment of agitation in AD. The investigators objective is to determine whether nabilone is an efficacious and safe treatment for agitation, as well as having benefits for pain, weight and behavioural symptoms. This will be a 14 week clinical trial (participants take nabilone for 6 weeks, placebo for 6 weeks (order randomized) with 1 week between treatments). The investigators will assess and compare agitation, weight, pain, memory, behaviour and safety. Nabilone is a new class of medication that may be a safe and effective treatment for agitation in AD, with added benefits on appetite and pain. Reducing these symptoms would increase quality-of-life and reduce caregiver stress.
Locally preserved from ClinicalTrials.govOpen ClinicalTrials.govlast source update 2020-06-25
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This locally preserved record separates the registered protocol from source-reported registry results. Neither is a treatment recommendation.
Registry facts
Objectives: The investigators objective is to provide pilot data addressing whether the ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) analogue nabilone is a pharmacological option for managing agitation, a particularly difficult to treat neuropsychiatric symptom (NPS), as well as having benefits for pain, weight and overall NPS, and gather double-blind information on tolerability and safety. This group of symptoms is particularly prevalent in patients with moderate to severe AD. Rationale: The high prevalence and impact of agitation in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) makes this neuropsychiatric symptom (NPS) a key determinant of decreased quality of life. Associated with agitation are weight loss, and pain, both of which lead to additional loss of quality of life. Agitation frequently necessitates use of antipsychotics, which, while well-studied, have modest efficacy and severe side effects including increased mortality. With the development of synthetic THC analogues, the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids can now be evaluated. Cannabinoids can be prescribed as capsules to treat anorexia and pain in certain patient groups. In addition to these potentially beneficial effects on appetite and pain, a recent study suggested positive effects of nabilone on agitation in dementia. Importantly, in addition to psychotropic effects, emerging evidence suggests neuroprotective (inhibit Aβ-induced microglial activation and excitotoxicity) and anti-inflammatory abilities, which can decrease oxidative stress, in stark contrast to the negative effects of antipsychotics. As such, this system is of high potential relevance in agitated patients with AD. Research Plan: This will be a randomized cross-over study comparing 6 weeks of nabilone and placebo, with a 1 week placebo washout preceding each treatment phase in Long-term care (LTC) patients, and outpatients with moderate to severe AD and agitation. Study outcomes will be measured at baseline and end of treatment for each treatment phase. The primary outcome measure will be the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI). The secondary outcomes will be the weight (kg), overall NPS (Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI)), NPI agitation/aggression subscale, nutrition (Mini Nutritional Assessment - Short Form (MNA-SF), body mass index (BMI), skin fold thickness), pain (The Pain Assessment In Advanced Dementia (PAINAD)), cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); Severe Impairment Battery (SIB)) and clinical significance (Alzheimer's Cooperative Study-Clinician Global Impression of change (ADCS-CGIC). Safety (heart rate, blood pressure, and adverse events) will also be assessed at every visit.
Linked local records
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Research network
Interventions
Participants randomized to nabilone treatment arm, will undergo a one-week placebo washout, followed by 6 weeks of nabilone treatment (weeks 1-6). Participants will then receive a one-week placebo washout (week 7), before receiving 6 weeks of placebo treatment (weeks 8-14).
Participants randomized to placebo arm, will undergo a one-week placebo washout, followed by 6 weeks of drug matched placebo (weeks 1-6). Participants will then receive a one-week placebo washout (week 7), before receiving 6 weeks of nabilone treatment (weeks 8-14).
Eligibility
primary outcomes
Time frame: baseline (0 weeks) to 14 weeks
A 29-point scale that measures agitation in two dimensions, verbal and physical, each of which having two poles, aggressive and non-aggressive.
secondary outcomes
Time frame: baseline (0 weeks) to 14 weeks
A widely used assessment of behaviour disturbances in dementia, including: apathy, agitation, delusions, hallucinations, depression, euphoria, aberrant motor behaviour, irritability, disinhibition, anxiety, sleeping, and eating. The frequency and severity of these symptoms are judged on a 4-point and 3-point scale, respectively. A 5-point scale is used to evaluate caregiver distress.
Time frame: baseline (0 weeks) to 14 weeks
Used to describe cognitive impairment.
Time frame: baseline (0 weeks) to 14 weeks
Used to describe cognitive impairment for severe AD.
Time frame: baseline (0 weeks) to 14 weeks
Used to describe cognitive impairment for moderate AD.
Time frame: 2 to 14 weeks
The ADCS-CGIC is used to measure overall clinically significant change in patients.
other outcomes
Time frame: baseline (0 weeks) to 14 weeks
The PAINAD is a 5-item observer-rated scale conducted after a 5-minute observation. The scale examines breathing, vocalizations, facial expression, body language, and consolability.
Time frame: baseline (0 weeks) to 14 weeks
The MNA-SF is a structured interview consisting of 6 items that categorizes patients as malnourished, at risk of malnutrition, or of normal nutritional status.
Time frame: baseline (0 weeks) to 14 weeks
Heart rate will be assessed at weeks 0 to 14 to monitor safety.
Time frame: baseline (0 weeks) to 14 weeks
Biomarkers will be obtained from blood work.
Time frame: baseline (0 weeks) to 14 weeks
Blood pressure will be assessed at weeks 0 to 14 weeks to monitor safety.
Publications