A randomized, controlled trial of linopirdine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

We tested the efficacy and safety of linopirdine, a novel phenylindolinone, in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS:

A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled trial of linopirdine (30 mg three times per day or placebo). Patients (n = 382, 55% male, 98% Caucasian, age range 51-95 years) with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease, of whom 375 received at least one treatment dose were analysed. There were no important differences between the groups at baseline.

RESULTS:

No difference was seen in Clinical Global Impression scores between patients receiving placebo and those receiving linopirdine (n = 189). Small differences in the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) scores were seen throughout the study favouring linopirdine; at 6 months the ADAS-Cog scores were 20.2 (linopirdine) and 22.1 (placebo) p = 0.01.

CONCLUSIONS:

This trial did not detect clinically meaningful differences in patients receiving linopirdine for 6 months, despite evidence of a small degree of improved cognitive function. Further studies may benefit from more sensitive tests of treatment effects in Alzheimer's disease.

• Authors: K Rockwood, B L Beattie, M R Eastwood, H Feldman, E Mohr, W Pryse-Phillips, S Gauthier
• Journal: The Canadian journal of neurological sciences. Le journal canadien des sciences neurologiques (Can J Neurol Sci) Vol. 24 Issue 2 Pg. 140-5 (May 1997) ISSN: 0317-1671 [Print] England
• PMID: 9164692 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Indoles
• Pyridines
• linopirdine

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Alzheimer Disease (drug therapy, psychology)
• Cognition (drug effects)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Indoles (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Pyridines (therapeutic use)