Can 'Zombie Cell' cleaners fight Alzheimer's? new trial tests idea

NCT ID NCT04685590

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Washington University School of Medicine Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This phase 2 trial is testing whether a combination of two drugs, dasatinib and quercetin, is safe and feasible for people with early-stage Alzheimer's or mild cognitive impairment. The drugs aim to clear aging 'senescent' cells that may contribute to brain damage. 48 participants aged 60 and older are receiving either the drug combo or a placebo for 12 weeks, with follow-up for up to 48 weeks.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Dasatinib and Quercetin (a drug combination that targets aging cells)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new way to slow or stop early Alzheimer's by clearing aging cells from the brain.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial focused on safety, not proof of effectiveness. The treatment may not improve symptoms or could cause side effects.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Alzheimer disease Cognitive Dysfunction early-onset autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ALZHEIMER DISEASE, EARLY ONSET MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

Contacts and locations

Locations

FISEVI Clinical Site

Seville, Spain
Fundación ACE Clinical Site

Barcelona, Spain
Hospital Clínic de Barcelona Site

Barcelona, Spain
Sant Pau Clinical Site

Barcelona, Spain
Wake Forest Health Sciences

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States

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