New Alzheimer's drug shows promise for agitation and psychosis
NCT ID NCT05227118
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-stage study tested the safety of a new drug called MK-8189 (elpipodect) in 29 people with Alzheimer's disease who also had symptoms like agitation, aggression, or psychosis. The main goal was to see if the drug was safe and tolerable. Researchers monitored side effects and how many people stopped the study due to side effects.
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
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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29 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2022
- Finished
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Jan 2023
- Lead sponsor
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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
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65 to 85 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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.
The main inclusion and exclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following: Inclusion Criteria: * Has a documented diagnosis of probable Alzheimer Disease based on National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer Association criteria for AD, with a history of cognitive and functional decline with gradual onset and slow progression for at least 1 year before screening, that is either corroborated by an informant who knows the participant well or is documented in medical records * Lives in the community setting with a reliable trial partner/caregiver or lives alone in an assisted living facility, with supervision and has a reliable trial partner/caregiver * Has a reliable and competent trial partner/caregiver who must have a close relationship with the participant and is knowledgeable of the participant's condition and progress and able to read, understand and speak the designated language at the study site * Can read at the 6th grade level/equivalent as determined by the investigator * Has an academic and/or employment history sufficient to exclude intellectual disability and is able, in the opinion of the investigator, to fully participate in the study * Participants receiving treatment with a cholinesterase inhibitor or other treatment for AD, must have been on a stable regimen for 3 months prior to screening and there are no expected changes in co-medication during the study * Is able to discontinue any antipsychotic medication they are taking at the time of Screening * Has a body mass index (BMI) \> 18 and ≤ 35kg/m2, inclusive Exclusion Criteria: * Has agitation/aggression or psychosis that is attributable to concomitant medications, environmental conditions, substance abuse, or an active medical or psychiatric condition * Has a known history of stroke or evidence from prior magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan (if available) that is clinically important in the investigator's opinion * Has evidence of a clinically relevant neurological disorder other than the disease being studied (i.e., probable AD) at Screening * Has a history of seizures or epilepsy within the last 5 years before Screening * Has evidence of a clinically relevant or unstable psychiatric disorder * Is at imminent risk of self-harm * Has a history of alcoholism or drug dependency/abuse within the last 5 years before Screening * Has a history of cancer (malignancy). Exceptions: (1) Adequately treated non-melanomatous skin carcinoma or carcinoma in situ of the cervix or; (2) Other malignancies that have been successfully treated with appropriate follow up and therefore unlikely to recur for the duration of the study * Has a family history of long QT syndrome * Previously developed severe extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) following administration of any prescribed medication or study treatment * Is positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C antibodies or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) * Had major surgery, donated or lost 1 unit of blood (approximately 500 mL) within 4 weeks prior to the pre-study (screening) visit * Consumes greater than 3 glasses of alcoholic beverages per day * Consumes excessive amounts, defined as greater than 6 servings (1 serving is approximately equivalent to 120 mg of caffeine) of coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, or other caffeinated beverages per day * Is a regular user of cannabis, any illicit drugs or has a history of drug (including alcohol) abuse within approximately 3 years
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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
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Atlanta Center for Medical Research ( Site 0004)
Atlanta, Georgia, 30331, United States
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CITrials ( Site 0007)
Santa Ana, California, 92705, United States
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Global Medical Institutes LLC; Princeton Medical Institute ( Site 0008)
Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, United States
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Richmond Behavioral Associates ( Site 0003)
Staten Island, New York, 10314, United States
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Top Medical Research ( Site 0005)
Cutler Bay, Florida, 33189, United States
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Velocity Clinical Research, Hallandale Beach ( Site 0001)
Hallandale, Florida, 33009, United States
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Well Pharma Medical Research, Corp. ( Site 0006)
Miami, Florida, 33173, United States
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iResearch Atlanta ( Site 0009)
Decatur, Georgia, 30030, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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