Old TB vaccine tested for brain benefits in seniors
NCT ID NCT04507126
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study gave the BCG vaccine (used for tuberculosis) to 20 healthy older adults aged 55-80. Researchers measured changes in immune markers and Alzheimer's-related proteins in blood and spinal fluid over 90 days. The goal was to see if this common vaccine might influence brain inflammation and related biomarkers.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- BCG vaccine
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a way to use an existing vaccine to reduce brain inflammation and potentially lower Alzheimer's risk.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small pilot study with only 20 healthy older adults. It only looks at biomarker changes, not whether BCG actually prevents or treats any disease. Results may not apply to the general population.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
20 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Mar 2021
- Finished
-
Dec 2022
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
55 to 80 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Study subjects meeting all the following criteria will be allowed to enroll in the study: 1. Age 55-80 inclusive; 2. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA ) ≥18; 3. Normal cognition as defined by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) ≥ 26 or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) as defined by the National Institute of Health Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) Workgroup (2011) and MoCA score between 18 and 25 (inclusive); 4. Education level, English language skills, and literacy indicates subject will be able to complete all assessments; 5. Ability to provide informed consent; 6. Willing and able to complete all assessment and study procedures, including blood draws, lumbar punctures, and clinical assessments; 7. If on cholinesterase inhibitor and/or memantine, doses are stable for 3 months prior to baseline; 8. Negative test results for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) antibody and Tuberculosis (TB) (QuantiFERON) at screening; 9. No prior Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) exposure either through birth vaccinations (born in North American) or BCG bladder cancer treatment. 10. Documentation of current flu season vaccination dated at least 60 days prior to baseline visit. Exclusion Criteria: Study subjects meeting any of the following criteria will not be allowed to enroll in the study: 1. History of chronic infectious disease, such as HIV or untreated or active hepatitis; 2. History of tuberculosis, positive interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA, also known as the QuantiFERON-TB test), including a test with a high reactivity to mycobacteria of non-tuberculosis variety; 3. Prior BCG vaccination, positive T-spot tuberculosis test or a T-spot test showing significant Mycobacteria exposure; 4. A positive Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) result within 3 months of screening, or known close contact with a confirmed Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) positive person or symptoms highly suspicious for COVID-19 (per Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines) within 1 month of screening, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, new loss of taste or smell, vomiting or diarrhea, and/or sore throat, based on clinician's judgment; 5. History of treatment with metformin within the past one year; 6. Previous participation (ever) in active immunization research for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) or passive immunotherapy or other disease-modifying treatments for AD within the past three months; 7. Current treatment with immunosuppressants (calcineurin inhibitors, corticosteroids, or biological or cytotoxic immunosuppressants, or disease or condition likely to require high dose steroid or immunosuppressive therapy); 8. Other conditions or treatments associated with increased risk of infections or treatment with immunosuppressive medications for any reason; 9. Current treatment with aspirin \> 160 mg/day or chronic, daily nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); 10. Chronic use of antibiotics; 11. History of keloid formation; 12. Living with someone who is immunosuppressed and/or at high risk for infectious diseases (for example, HIV+ or taking immunosuppressive medications for any reason), or in a job (e.g. healthcare) in which the subject works with immunosuppressed populations; 13. Other/confounding neurological or psychiatric condition, unstable medical or psychiatric conditions, contraindications to BCG use and lab abnormalities or concurrent medication use posing risk for BCG or study procedures; 14. Laboratory abnormalities in B12, Folate, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), or other common laboratory parameters that may contribute to cognitive dysfunction; 15. Laboratory abnormalities in Complete Blood Count (CBC), electrolytes, Liver Function Tests (LFTs), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Creatinine (Cr), total serum immunoglobulins, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), or urinalysis posing risk to treatment with BCG per clinician judgment; 16. Laboratory abnormalities in prothrombin time /international normalized ratio (PT-INR), which would pose a risk to performing the lumbar puncture procedure; 17. Discontinuation of cholinesterase inhibitor or memantine within one month (28 days) prior to baseline visit; 18. Females who are pregnant, lactating or of child-bearing potential; 19. If male with female partner(s) of childbearing potential, unwilling or unable to adhere to contraception requirements specified in the protocol. 20. Administration of live vaccine \<60 days prior to Baseline. 21. Increased intracranial pressure as determined on a fundoscopy/neurological examination performed within 30 days of Lumbar Puncture (LP); 22. COVID-19 vaccination \< 60 days prior to baseline or within 14 days of BCG immunizations.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Healthy are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Clinical Translational Research Unit
Charlestown, Massachusetts, 02124, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a chewable postbiotic tablet keep plaque and gum inflammation at bay?
- Can a new oral drug safely help older adults manage weight?
- Can a protein powder with creatine and fiber boost everyday Well-Being?
- Green tech or hidden stress? bus Drivers' hearts monitored behind the wheel
- Shout it out: can growls and screams raise pain tolerance?
- Scientists probe why brain stimulation works for some and not others