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Orexin Antagonist

Suvorexant for Alzheimer's Disease (SToP-AD Trial)

Phase 2
Recruiting
Led By Brendan Lucey, MD
Research Sponsored by Washington University School of Medicine
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Participants must be age ≥65 years and able to sign informed consent
Capacity to give informed consent and follow study procedures
Must not have
Sleep disordered breathing if treated with PAP or AHI >15
Actigraphic sleep efficiency ≥85%
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 214 months

Summary

This trial will test if suvorexant can help slow the accumulation of amyloid-β in the brain, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for individuals aged 65 or older with early signs of Alzheimer's, as indicated by specific brain scan results and cognitive assessments. They must be able to consent and follow study procedures. Excluded are those with certain sleep disorders, severe health conditions, recent substance abuse, high alcohol intake, obesity (BMI >35), or on conflicting medications.
What is being tested?
The trial tests if suvorexant, a sleep aid medication at a dose of 20 mg, can slow down the buildup of amyloid-β in the brain compared to a placebo. Amyloid-β accumulation is associated with Alzheimer's disease progression.
What are the potential side effects?
Suvorexant may cause drowsiness during daytime, headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up too quickly from lying down/sitting position (orthostatic hypotension), abnormal dreams or nightmares.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am 65 or older and can give my consent.
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I understand the study and can follow its procedures.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I use a PAP machine for my sleep disorder or my AHI score is over 15.
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My sleep efficiency is 85% or higher.
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I have a sleep disorder other than insomnia.
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My liver tests are more than twice the normal range.
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I have chronic kidney disease with an eGFR under 60.
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I have had a stroke.
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I am living with HIV/AIDS.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~214 months
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 214 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Change from baseline in Amyloid-β accumulation measured by plasma pT217/T217 in participants treated with 20 mg suvorexant compared to placebo
Secondary study objectives
Change in CSF Amyloid-β compared to placebo
Change in CSF p-tau compared to placebo
Change in CSF tau compared to placebo
+8 more

Side effects data

From 2018 Phase 4 trial • 12 Patients • NCT03312517
8%
Dizziness
8%
Upset
8%
Anxiety
8%
Dry Mouth
8%
Tingling sensation in arm
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Placebo
Belsomra 20mg
Belsomra 10mg

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Poor sleep treatment groupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
100 participants will be randomized to take suvorexant 20mg daily at h.s. for two years
Group II: Poor sleep control gropPlacebo Group1 Intervention
100 participants will be randomized to take placebo daily at h.s. for two years.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Suvorexant 20 mg
2019
Completed Phase 4
~70

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Washington University School of MedicineLead Sponsor
1,988 Previous Clinical Trials
2,294,634 Total Patients Enrolled
Good Ventures FoundationUNKNOWN
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLCIndustry Sponsor
4,005 Previous Clinical Trials
5,185,221 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Suvorexant (Orexin Antagonist) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04629547 — Phase 2
Alzheimer's Disease Research Study Groups: Poor sleep treatment group, Poor sleep control grop
Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial 2023: Suvorexant Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04629547 — Phase 2
Suvorexant (Orexin Antagonist) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04629547 — Phase 2
~72 spots leftby May 2026