Gold nanoparticles tested as brain energy boost for MS
NCT ID NCT03993171
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial tested a liquid suspension of gold nanocrystals, called CNM-Au8, in 33 people with relapsing multiple sclerosis. The goal was to see if the treatment could improve energy metabolism in brain cells, measured by a special MRI scan. Participants took the drug by mouth for 12 weeks while continuing their usual MS medication. The study looked at safety and changes in brain chemistry, not directly at symptoms.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- gold nanocrystals (CNM-Au8)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new way to support brain cell energy in multiple sclerosis, potentially slowing disease progression.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 33 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The study focused on brain chemistry changes, not direct symptom improvement, and the treatment may not show clear benefits.
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
-
33 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Dec 2019
- Finished
-
Jul 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 55 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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.
Patients enrolled in Cohort 1 must meet the following Inclusion Criteria: 1. At least 18 years of age and up to 55 years (inclusive) of age at Screening. 2. Clinical diagnosis of Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (RMS) (meeting McDonald criteria, 2017). 3. Diagnosis of MS no longer than 15 years prior to Screening. 4. Stable treatment with natalizumab, defined as a stable dose maintained at the standard infusion interval of 28-days (±5 days) for at least the prior six (6) months. 5. Stable disease activity based on the Investigator's judgment over the prior three (3) months. 6. Any hematological parameters and/or biochemical parameters that fall outside the Within Normal Limits range at Screening must be assessed as Not Clinically Significant (NCS) and deemed stable or transient in nature. 7. Able to understand and give written informed consent. Patients enrolled in Cohort 2 must meet the following Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or female, aged 18 - 70 years or age (inclusive); 2. Diagnosis of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) or nonactive secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), according to revised 2017 McDonald criteria at the Screening visit; 3. EDSS score at the Screening visit of less than or equal to 6.5 (inclusive); 4. Participants must be taking either B-cell depleting therapy (e.g., ocrelizumab, rituximab) or S1P modulator therapy (e.g., siponimod) with consistent stable dosing for at least 48 weeks prior to the Screening visit; 5. Any hematological parameters and/or biochemical parameters that fall outside the Within Normal Limits range at Screening must be assessed as Not Clinically Significant (NCS) and deemed stable or transient in nature; and 6. Able to understand and give written informed consent. Patients enrolled in Cohort 1 must meet the following Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with a clinical relapse requiring systemic steroid treatment within the prior three (3) months. 2. Patients treated with any other MS therapy other than natalizumab; or treated with clemastine fumarate. 3. Based on the Investigator's judgment, patients with a history of significant other major medical condition that may interfere with the conduct of the study or interpretation of the study results. 4. Based on the Investigator's judgment, patients who may have difficulty complying with the protocol and/or study procedures. 5. History of any clinically significant abnormality in hematology, blood chemistry, ECG, or physical examination not resolved by the Baseline visit which according to Investigator can interfere with study participation. 6. Patients with clinically significant hepatic or renal dysfunction or clinical laboratory findings that would limit the interpretability of change in liver or kidney function, or those with low platelet counts (\< 150 x 109 per liter) or eosinophilia (absolute eosinophil count of ≥500 eosinophils per microliter) at Screening. 7. Patients with a prior history of, or positive serological assay for the presence of HIV infection, or laboratory evidence of active or chronic infection with hepatitis C (HCV) or hepatitis B (HBV). Note, participants who have been vaccinated for HBV and have detectable HB antibodies are not excluded unless positive for hepatitis surface antigen (HBsAg). 8. Patients participating in any other investigational drug trial or using an investigational drug (within 12 weeks prior to screening and thereafter). 9. Positive screen for drugs of abuse or known alcohol abuse. 10. Females who are pregnant, have a positive pregnancy test, are nursing, or who plan to get pregnant during the course of this clinical trial or within 6 months of the end of this trial. 11. Women of child-bearing potential, or men, who are unwilling or unable to use accepted methods of birth control during the study and for 6 months following completion of study participation. 12. Patients with implanted metal objects in their body that may be affected by an MRI procedure. 13. Patients who are claustrophobic or otherwise unlikely to be able to complete the MRI scanning procedures. 14. Patients with a history of gold allergy. 15. Patient is considered a suicide risk in the opinion of the Investigator, has previously made a suicide attempt, or is currently demonstrating active suicidal ideation. Subjects with intermittent passive suicidal ideation are not necessarily excluded based on the assessment of the Investigator. 16. Any active ophthalmological cause for retinal damage other than MS (e.g. cataracts, uveitis, macular degeneration, macular exudate, macular edema, glaucoma, severe astigmatism, ocular trauma, neuromyelitis optica, ischemic optic neuropathy, congenital nystagmus, retinal detachment, amblyopia, optic disk drusen). 17. Severe refractive defects: refractive errors (-5 dioptres to +5 dioptres or more in either eye or axial eye length \>26 mm), hypermetropia (\> 5 dioptres; cylinder \> 3 dioptres); or based on the Investigator's judgment any other ophthalmic diseases that might confound the study results or optical coherence tomography assessment. 18. PRN use of stimulant medications including: amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate, or modafinil; however, stimulant medications, taken on a consistent daily dose for at least 12-weeks are allowed. No changes in the dose of any stimulant medications are allowed during the study. Patients enrolled in Cohort 2 must meet the following Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of MS relapses or gadolinium-enhancing lesions seen on brain MRI scans within the five (5) years prior to the Screening visit. 2. History of AQP4, MOG Ab(+) status, or documented ≥ 3 contiguous segment lesion in the spinal cord. 3. Any diagnosis other than PPMS or SPMS that could explain a participant's signs and symptoms. 4. Participants taking any MS disease-modifying therapy other than Bcell depleting therapy (e.g., ocrelizumab, rituximab) or S1P modulator therapy (e.g., siponimod), or not taking disease modifying therapy. 5. Based on the Investigator's judgment, patients with a history of significant other major medical condition that may interfere with the conduct of the study or interpretation of the study results. 6. Based on the Investigator's judgment, patients who may have difficulty complying with the protocol and/or study procedures. 7. History of any clinically significant abnormality in hematology, blood chemistry, ECG, or physical examination not resolved by the Baseline visit which according to Investigator can interfere with study participation. 8. Patients with clinically significant hepatic or renal dysfunction or clinical laboratory findings that would limit the interpretability of change in liver or kidney function, or those with low platelet counts (\< 150 x 109 per liter) or eosinophilia (absolute eosinophil count of ≥500 eosinophils per microliter) at Screening. 9. Patients with a prior history of, or positive serological assay for the presence of HIV infection, or laboratory evidence of active or chronic infection with hepatitis C (HCV) or hepatitis B (HBV). Note, participants who have been vaccinated for HBV and have detectable HB antibodies are not excluded unless positive for hepatitis surface antigen (HBsAg). 10. Patients participating in any other investigational drug trial or using an investigational drug (within 12 weeks prior to screening and thereafter). 11. Positive screen for drugs of abuse or known alcohol abuse. 12. Females who are pregnant, have a positive pregnancy test, are nursing, or who plan to get pregnant during the course of this clinical trial or within 6 months of the end of this trial. 13. Women of child-bearing potential, or men, who are unwilling or unable to use accepted methods of birth control during the study and for 6 months following completion of study participation. 14. Patients with implanted metal objects in their body that may be affected by an MRI procedure. 15. Patients who are claustrophobic or otherwise unlikely to be able to complete the MRI scanning procedures. 16. Patients with a history of gold allergy. 17. Patient is considered a suicide risk in the opinion of the Investigator, has previously made a suicide attempt, or is currently demonstrating active suicidal ideation. Subjects with intermittent passive suicidal ideation are not necessarily excluded based on the assessment of the Investigator.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Multiple sclerosis 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
-
University of Texas Southwestern
Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can exercise rebuild muscle and balance in MS?
- Can diet ease the crushing fatigue of multiple sclerosis?
- One-Time CAR-T infusion tested against progressive MS
- Can PET scans reveal hidden brain inflammation in MS?
- Can a pill rebuild the Brain's insulation? MS trial puts remyelination to the test
- Migraines and tension headaches may be hidden companions to multiple sclerosis