Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease With CX516 (Ampalex)

Summary

Glutamate is an amino acid released by brain cells that acts to excite other cells. Glutamate attaches to special sites on cells called AMPA (alpha-amino-2,3-dihydro-5 methyl 3-oxo-4-isoxazolepropanoic acid) receptors. The brain cells responsible for releasing glutamate are damaged in Alzheimer's disease and other conditions affecting thinking and reasoning. Researchers would like to see if giving patients a drug that attaches to AMPA receptors improves the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. CX516 (Ampalex) is a test drug that affects the AMPA receptors. This study will investigate the effectiveness and safety of CX516 on patients with Alzheimer's disease. Patients will be given capsules of CX516 or placebo (sugar pill that neither harms nor helps) for up to 16 weeks in different amounts. The effectiveness of the drug will be measured by neurological tests. Safety will be monitored by frequent check-ups and lab examinations.

Timeline

Start

1996-12

Primary completion

—

Completion

2005-11

Publications

• Background Arai A, Kessler M, Rogers G, Lynch G. Effects of a memory-enhancing drug on DL-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor currents and synaptic transmission in hippocampus. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1996 Aug;278(2):627-38.
• Background Granger R, Staubli U, Davis M, Perez Y, Nilsson L, Rogers GA, Lynch G. A drug that facilitates glutamatergic transmission reduces exploratory activity and improves performance in a learning-dependent task. Synapse. 1993 Dec;15(4):326-9. doi: 10.1002/syn.890150409.
• Background Greenamyre JT, Maragos WF, Albin RL, Penney JB, Young AB. Glutamate transmission and toxicity in Alzheimer's disease. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 1988;12(4):421-30. doi: 10.1016/0278-5846(88)90102-9.

Drugs

Indications