Propranolol for Primary Progressive Aphasia

Overseen By Jessica Call

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase < 1

Sponsor: University of Missouri-Columbia

Must not be taking: Alpha 2 agonists

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Reactive airway disease, others

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 18 weeks

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how propranolol, a heart medication, might assist individuals with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a condition affecting language and often associated with anxiety. Currently, no drug treatments specifically target the language impairments in PPA. Participants will receive either propranolol or a placebo (a harmless pill with no active drug) to assess the impact on their language abilities. Individuals diagnosed with PPA who speak English as their first language may be suitable for this study. As an Early Phase 1 trial, this research aims to understand how propranolol functions in people with PPA, offering participants an opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you stop taking alpha 2 agonists (like clonidine and guanfacine) and any drugs that interact with propranolol. If you're on these medications, you would need to stop them to participate.

Is there any evidence suggesting that Propranolol is likely to be safe for humans?

Research has shown that propranolol is generally safe, as the FDA has approved it for treating heart issues like high blood pressure. However, it can cause side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, or a slower heartbeat. In studies for other uses, propranolol is often well-tolerated when the dose increases gradually. Since this study is in an early stage, it focuses primarily on how people react to the drug. Researchers are carefully monitoring for any side effects to ensure safety. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising for Primary Progressive Aphasia?

Propranolol for primary progressive aphasia is unique because it offers a new approach by potentially targeting the underlying mechanisms of the condition rather than just managing symptoms. Most treatments for primary progressive aphasia focus on speech therapy and medications to slow cognitive decline, but propranolol, a beta-blocker, might help by reducing the brain's stress response that could be contributing to language deterioration. Researchers are excited about propranolol because it represents a novel use of an existing drug, which could lead to an effective and well-tolerated option for patients facing this challenging condition.

What evidence suggests that Propranolol might be an effective treatment for Primary Progressive Aphasia?

Research has shown that propranolol, while not directly proven to help with primary progressive aphasia, has shown promise in easing symptoms of other conditions. Propranolol often treats anxiety, which many people with primary progressive aphasia experience. This suggests it might help with language problems related to anxiety. By reducing anxiety, propranolol could improve communication. However, no direct evidence exists yet, so its potential benefits for primary progressive aphasia are still under study in this trial, where participants will receive either propranolol or a placebo. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

David Beversdorf, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Missouri-Columbia

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals aged 50 or older who have been diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia and are native English speakers. It's not suitable for those with major head trauma, untreated hypothyroidism, certain heart conditions like bradyarrhythmia, unexplained fainting episodes, diabetes, reactive airway diseases or those on conflicting medications.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 50 years old or older.

I am a native English speaker.

I have been diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia.

Exclusion Criteria

You are pregnant.

I am unable to give my consent.

I am currently taking clonidine or guanfacine.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive propranolol or placebo via oral capsule, with dosage titration for propranolol

18 weeks

Visits at Day 1, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Propranolol

Trial Overview

The study tests if Propranolol can improve language abilities in people with Primary Progressive Aphasia. Participants will either receive Propranolol or a placebo (a substance with no therapeutic effect). Their language function will be monitored using MRI scans to observe any changes.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Propanolol and MRI Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants will receive propranolol via oral capsule. The drug dosage will be titrated slowly to ensure the drug is tolerated well.

Group II: Placebo and MRI Placebo Group 2 Interventions

Participants will receive placebo via oral capsule.

Propranolol is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Inderal for:

• High blood pressure
• Angina pectoris
• Heart rhythm disorders
• Migraine prophylaxis
• Essential tremor
• Performance anxiety

Approved in European Union as Propranolol for:

• Hypertension
• Angina pectoris
• Arrhythmias
• Migraine prophylaxis
• Essential tremor
• Anxiety

Approved in Canada as Propranolol for:

• Hypertension
• Angina pectoris
• Arrhythmias
• Migraine prophylaxis
• Essential tremor
• Anxiety

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Missouri-Columbia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

387

Recruited

629,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A study involving six healthy adult volunteers tested four different brands of propranolol (Inderal, Ciplar, Corbeta, and Propal) to assess variations in how the body absorbs and responds to the medication.

The results showed no significant differences in the pharmacokinetic (how the drug is processed in the body) and pharmacodynamic (the drug's effects on the body) parameters among the brands, indicating they are likely interchangeable in terms of efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of four different brands of propranolol in normal volunteers. Biswas, NR., Garg, SK., Kumar, N., et al.[2013]

In a study of 17 young adults with severe hemophilia A on a low-dose daily prophylaxis (LDDP) regimen, participants maintained a high adherence rate of 84% and experienced low annualized bleeding rates, indicating that LDDP can be an effective treatment option.

The study found that the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores remained stable over the 2 to 3 years, suggesting that LDDP not only helps manage bleeding but also supports overall well-being in patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adherence to treatment regimen and bleeding rates in a prospective cohort of youth and young adults on low-dose daily prophylaxis for severe hemophilia A. Mizrahi, T., St-Louis, J., Young, NL., et al.[2020]

In a pilot trial involving 57 patients with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis, intra-articular injections of hylan G-F20 were found to be feasible and well-tolerated, with only 10.1% of injections resulting in transient hip pain and no serious adverse events reported.

Patients experienced a significant reduction in walking pain, decreasing from an average of 69.3 mm to 39.5 mm on a visual analogue scale, indicating that hylan G-F20 may effectively alleviate symptoms of hip osteoarthritis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intra-articular injections of hylan G-F 20 in patients with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis: an open-label, multicentre, pilot study. Conrozier, T., Bertin, P., Mathieu, P., et al.[2017]

A 53-year-old male developed severe psychiatric symptoms, including hallucinations and combativeness, after starting treatment for hypertension with propranolol, furosemide, and minoxidil.

Switching from propranolol to atenolol led to the complete resolution of the psychotic symptoms, suggesting that propranolol may have contributed to the neuropsychiatric side effects in this patient.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Propranolol-induced psychosis. McGahan, DJ., Wojslaw, A., Prasad, V., et al.[2019]

Propranolol has shown potential benefits in managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), such as agitation and aggression, based on a review of three case series, one randomized controlled trial, and one case report.

The medication is well tolerated with no significant side effects like bradycardia or hypotension reported, but due to limited data compared to other treatments, it is not routinely recommended for BPSD unless other medications have failed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Propranolol for the management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Tampi, RR., Tampi, DJ., Farheen, SA., et al.[2022]

A study involving 36 hematologists from the US and Europe revealed that efficacy (35.0%) and scientific evidence (34.1%) are the most important factors for physicians when choosing prophylactic treatments for patients with severe hemophilia A who have developed inhibitors to factor VIII.

Cost, dosing frequency, and administration time were considered less important, indicating that physicians prioritize treatment effectiveness and supporting research over other logistical factors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physician preferences for medication attributes for the prophylactic treatment of patients with severe haemophilia A with inhibitors to factor VIII. Gelhorn, H., Merikle, E., Krishnan, S., et al.[2015]

Controlled-release formulations of propranolol, specifically Elanol and Inderal LA, provide smoother serum level profiles and delayed peak times compared to conventional propranolol, indicating a potentially more stable therapeutic effect.

Elanol showed greater bioavailability than Inderal LA, suggesting that long-acting formulations can be effective without the drawbacks of reduced bioavailability due to first-pass metabolism.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies with a new controlled-release formulation of propranolol in normal volunteers: a comparison with other commercially available formulations. Perucca, E., Grimaldi, R., Gatti, G., et al.[2019]

In a study involving 20 migraine patients, both Inderal (racemic propranolol) and d-propranolol were found to be significantly more effective than placebo in reducing migraine frequency.

While Inderal appeared to be more effective than d-propranolol, the difference was not statistically significant, suggesting that both beta-blocking and potentially other mechanisms contribute to the anti-migraine effects of propranolol.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Short-term clinical trial of phopranolol in racemic form (Inderal), D-propranolol and placebo in migraine. Stensrud, P., Sjaastad, O.[2019]

Persons with severe hemophilia A and B are aging and facing similar comorbidities as their peers, including chronic conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease, which can lead to polypharmacy.

Despite the potential for drug interactions, the rate of polypharmacy and associated risks in aging individuals with hemophilia is relatively low, likely due to coordinated care from specialized hemophilia treatment centers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aging with Hemophilia: The Challenge of Appropriate Drug Prescription. Mannucci, PM.[2020]

In a 10-week study involving 29 patients with mild to moderate hypertension, both conventional propranolol tablets taken twice daily and a long-acting formulation (Inderal LA) taken once daily were found to be equally effective.

Both treatment options were well tolerated, and the once-daily dosage of Inderal LA may improve patient compliance compared to the twice-daily regimen.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of a once daily long-acting formulation of propranolol with conventional propranolol given twice daily in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Douglas-Jones, AP.[2017]

In a study involving twelve chronic schizophrenic patients, high doses of propranolol (1,280-1,920 mg per day) showed a significant improvement in psychotic symptoms compared to placebo, as measured by the CPRS rating scale.

The results suggest that propranolol may have an antipsychotic effect in some patients already on neuroleptic treatment, with six out of twelve patients experiencing improvement during the two-week propranolol treatment period.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Propranolol in chronic schizophrenia: a controlled study in neuroleptic-treated patients. Lindström, LH., Persson, E.[2019]

In a study of 313 patients with hip osteoarthritis, hylan G-F 20 showed greater improvement in pain and function compared to methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) at week 26, particularly in patients with more advanced disease (KLG 3).

Both treatments had similar safety profiles, indicating that hylan G-F 20 is a safe and effective alternative to MPA for managing symptoms of hip osteoarthritis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hylan G-F 20 improves hip osteoarthritis: a prospective, randomized study. Spitzer, AI., Bockow, BI., Brander, VA., et al.[2018]

In a study involving 51 patients, both long-acting formulations of propranolol significantly reduced the frequency of migraine attacks compared to placebo, demonstrating their efficacy in migraine management.

The higher dose formulation (Inderal LA 160 mg) was more effective than the lower dose (Half-Inderal LA 80 mg) in reducing migraine frequency, with no significant difference in side effects between the two formulations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-acting propranolol in the prophylaxis of migraine: a comparative study of two doses. Carroll, JD., Reidy, M., Savundra, PA., et al.[2017]

Citations

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The purpose of this study is to find out how the language of people with Primary Progressive Aphasia is affected by Propranolol. Propranolol is not FDA ...

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Propranolol for Primary Progressive Aphasia

There is no direct evidence supporting the use of propranolol for primary progressive aphasia, but it has shown effectiveness in reducing symptoms in other ...

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Propranolol in Primary Progressive Aphasia

The purpose of this study is to find out how the language of people with Primary Progressive Aphasia is affected by Propranolol.

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Safety and Efficacy of Different Therapeutic Interventions ...

Background: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative disorder that worsens over time without appropriate treatment.

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studies.orcsapps.missouri.edu

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Trial of Propranolol in Older Adults with Primary ...

Brief purpose of the study: The purpose of the study is to examine the effects of propranolol in patients with PPA, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams ...

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pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40364094/

Safety and Efficacy of Different Therapeutic Interventions ...

Several therapies, including smartphone-based cognitive therapy and VISTA therapy, demonstrated sustained language improvements over six months.

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go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00571

Propranolol: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action

Improve decision support & research outcomes with our structured adverse effects data. See a data sample. Toxicity ... Primary Progressive Aphasia(PPA) · 1 ...