Current partner codePEPTIDESDE
NCT06072963·Phase 2·INTERVENTIONAL

COMMETS- Combination MCI Metabolic Syndrome

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Phase 2

Enrollment

80

Locations

1

Results

Not posted

Publications

12

Study summary

What the protocol is testing.

The investigators propose a proof of concept RCT (randomized clinical trial), testing the efficacy of intranasal insulin (INI) with semaglutide, a combination therapy with strong biological plausibility to benefit impaired cognition through vascular mechanisms, in older adults with MetS (metabolic syndrome) and MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment), who are enriched for cerebrovascular disease and at high dementia risk. The study will focus on cognitive and biological outcomes, allowing identification of relevant mechanisms.

Full detailed description

The Specific Aims of the study are: Aim 1. To examine the ease and precision of use of the intranasal device and once daily semaglutide pill. Aim 2. To examine the adherence to the two types of treatment. Aim 3. To examine the safety profile of the combination of intranasal insulin with semaglutide. The safety profile of each has been published broadly, but the safety of their combination has not been examined. Aim 4. Although the primary goal of the pilot study is proof of concept essential to design a large combination therapy RCT, The investigators will compare the combination of intranasal insulin and semaglutide with the other three groups on a) cognition, b) cerebral blood flow (via ASL MRI), c) glucose uptake (via FDG PET), ADRD(Alzheimer's disease and related disorders)-related blood biomarkers (Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio, pTau181 and 231, NfL and GFAP), and expression of insulin signaling genes from brain derived exosomes.

Interventions

Treatment arms and agents.

DRUG

Semaglutide

The medication is available in 3, 7, and 14-mg tablets for oral use. Participants will be instructed to start with an initiating dose of 3 mg once daily. If they do not experience adverse events (nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain) then the dose will be titrated to 7 mg once daily after 30 days. Again, if the participant does not experience adverse events, the dose will be further titrated after 30 days to 14 mg once daily. This does will continue until the end of the study, at 12 months.

DRUG

Intranasal insulin

The study will use the ViaNase; Kurve Technology intranasal device to administer insulin intra-nasally. This device has been used in other studies of persons with AD and has shown insulin penetration into the brain via CSF studies. Through sniffing, the medication crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) at the top of the nasal cavity. Participants will be instructed to press a switch that will turn on the device, engaging a pump that releases a nebulized stream of insulin through a nose piece into a nostril for 20 seconds (the device includes an electronic timer), after which the device switches off. The process is then repeated in the other nostril. The investigators decided on administration of 20IU of INI twice per day as the literature suggests this as the optimal dosage.

OTHER

Semaglutide placebo

Rybelsus semaglutide - this medicine will simulate taking the pill Rybelsus /semaglutide once a day. A pill identical to the medicine pill will be given.

OTHER

Intranasal insulin placebo

The placebo used in this study is saline. The investigators will administer saline, with exactly the same methods as the INI insulin (twice per day, 20 seconds each sniff, in each nostril.

Timeline

From registration to results.

  1. First posted

    Oct 10, 2023

  2. Study start

    Jan 30, 2024

  3. Primary completion

    Dec 1, 2027

  4. Study completion

    Dec 1, 2028

  5. Results posted

    Not reported

  6. Registry updated

    Jul 27, 2026

Outcomes

What the study measures.

Primary outcomes

Cognitive change - The effect of the combination of Semaglutide and intranasal insulin on cognitive functioning.

Time frame · 12 months

The cognitive outcome is a balanced composite sum of z-scores of four executive function tests (Trails B, Digit-Symbol, and Category Fluency (animals, fruits and vegetables), four episodic memory tests (immediate and delayed recall of the word list from the ADAS-Cog, and immediate and delayed recall of Logical Memory Story I from the Wechsler Memory Test). Z-scores are reversed if necessary so that a positive value refers to good cognition. Cognitive functioning will be measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months follow-ups.

Neuroimaging outcome -- The effect of the combination of Semaglutide and intranasal insulin on cerebral blood flow (CBF).

Time frame · 6 months

Change in CBF will be measured using Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The unit of cerebral blood flow from ASL is ml/100g/min, which means the amount of blood flow into 100g of tissue in one minute. Scans will be taken at baseline and 6 months follow-up. Baseline and 6 months scans will be compared and analyzed to assess change in blood flow between the time points.

Neuroimaging outcome -- The effect of the combination of Semaglutide and intranasal insulin on brain glucose intake.

Time frame · 6 months

Brain Glucose intake will be measured by \[F18\]FDG-PET: Voxel-wise standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) images will be created in native MRI space with the pons as reference region. \[F18\]FDG values will be extracted from ADRD-vulnerable regions of interest (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, medial and lateral temporal lobe, and medial and lateral parietal cortex). Scans will be taken at baseline and 6 months follow-up. Baseline and 6 months scans will be compared and analyzed to assess change in glucose intake between the time points.

Secondary outcomes

Change in specific cognitive domains - The effect of the combination of Semaglutide and intranasal insulin on executive functions and episodic memory.

Time frame · 12 months

Cognitive outcomes will be the domain-specific composites, for executive functions and episodic memory, by using four executive function tests (Trails B, Digit-Symbol, and Category Fluency \[animals, fruits and vegetables), and four episodic memory tests (immediate and delayed recall of the word list from the ADAS-Cog, and immediate and delayed recall of Logical Memory Story I from the Wechsler Memory Test). Cognitive outcomes will be measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months follow-ups

Neuroimaging outcomes- The effect of the combination of Semaglutide and intranasal insulin on microstructural alterations indicative of tissue injury.

Time frame · 6 months

Changes in White matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume: Total WMH volume of presumed ischemic origin will be quantified from 3D T2-FLAIR brain MRI using the Lesion Segmentation Tool. T1-weighted volumetric scans will be used to derive intracranial volume. Scans will be taken at baseline and 6 months follow-up. Baseline and 6 months scans will be compared and analyzed to assess change in WMH volume between the time points.

Neuroimaging outcomes- The effect of the combination of Semaglutide and intranasal insulin on gray matter and hippocampal volume.

Time frame · 6 months

Changes in gray matter (GM) and hippocampal volumes: neurodegeneration will be measured using T1-weighted scans brain MRI scans. Regional cortical GM and hippocampal volumes will be extracted using FreeSurfer 7.1.1. and FSL. Scans will be taken at baseline and 6 months follow-up. Baseline and 6 months scans will be compared and analyzed to assess change in GM and hippocampal volumes between the time points.

Functional outcome - The effect of the combination of Semaglutide and intranasal insulin on functional performance.

Time frame · 12 months

Change in functional performance will be measured by the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Scale Sum of Boxes (SB). The CDR-SB summarizes cognitive impairment in 6 domains (memory, orientation, judgment/problem-solving, community affairs, home/hobbies, and personal care) based on subject and informant interviews. Possible scores on the CDR are 0 (no impairment), 0.5 (very mild), 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), and 3 (severe). A maximal CDR-SB score is -18. CDR will be measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months follow-ups.

Functional outcome - The effect of the combination of Semaglutide with intranasal inulin on change in functional performance as measured by IADL (instrumental activities of daily living) questionnaires.

Time frame · 12 months

Functional Activities will be based on subject and informant interviews. Both ADLs (activities of daily living) and IADLs (instrumental ADLs) refer to key life tasks that need to be accomplish daily. ADLs, are more basic tasks that are essential to independent living. IADLs, are more complex tasks that are still a necessary part of everyday life. The study subjects are MCI, so mostly independent in ADLs. Therefore, the IADL questionnaire used in the "ADCS Prevention Instrument Project" will be used. IADL will be assessed at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. The range score is 0-45; a higher score means that the subject is more independent.

Functional outcome - The effect of the combination of Semaglutide and intranasal insulin on physical capacity

Time frame · 6 months

Physical capacity (PC) assessment (aerobic, balance, strength) includes grip strength, 6-m walk (6MWT), timed up and go (TUG), Berg balance testing (BBS), 30 Seconds Sit To Stand Test (STS), Four Square Step Test (FSST) and the Fried frailty scale. Based on the collected data, individuals will be categorized and assigned to 1 of 3 categories: low PC (LPC), medium PC (MPC), or normal PC (NPC). Participants will receive an LPC score if either standardized 6MWT/STS/Grip score is ≤ -2 standard deviation or BBS score ≤36 or TUG score between 21-30 or FSST score \> 15 seconds or deemed as frail assessed by the Fried scale. Participants will have an MPC score if either the standardized 6MWT/STS/Grip score is between -2 and -1.5 or BBS score is between 37-45 or the TUG score is between 15-20 or FSST score is between 10.14-14.59 or determined as pre-frail by Fried scale. All other participants will be categorized as NPC. Physical capacity will be measured at baseline and 6 months follow-up.

Neurobiological outcome - The effect of the combination of Semaglutide and intranasal insulin on ADRD-blood biomarkers- Aβ.

Time frame · 6 Months

A lower amyloid beta (Aβ) 42/Aβ 40 ratio in plasma is associated with a higher risk of dementia. Aβ 42/Aβ 40 plasma ratio will be measured at baseline and 6 months followup and will be compared to assess change in ADRD-blood biomarkers between the time points.

Neurobiological outcome - The effect of the combination of Semaglutide and intranasal insulin on ADRD-blood biomarkers- P-tau181.

Time frame · 6 Months

A higher rate of P-tau181 in plasma is associated with a higher risk of dementia. Change in rate of plasma tau proteins in blood plasma from baseline to 6 months will be assessed.

Neurobiological outcome - The effect of the combination of Semaglutide and intranasal insulin on ADRD-blood biomarkers-P-tau231.

Time frame · 6 Months

A higher rate of P-tau231associated with a higher risk of dementia. Change in rate of plasma P-tau231 proteins from baseline to 6 months will be examined.

Neurobiological outcome - The effect of the combination of Semaglutide and intranasal insulin on ADRD-blood biomarkers- T-tau.

Time frame · 6 Months

A higher rate of T-tau associated with a higher risk of dementia. Change in rate of plasma T-tau proteins in blood plasma from baseline to 6 months will be examined.

Eligibility

Who can take part.

Minimum age
60 Years
Maximum age
90 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of MCI (based on a MOCA \<27 and a clinical dementia rating scale \[CDR\] score of 0.5 representing questionable dementia). * Diagnosis of MetS -requiring a) abdominal obesity (waist circumference \>102cm for men and \>88cm for women), and b) glucose intolerance (fasting glucose\>110 mg/dL) and at least one of the following-c) dyslipidemia (high triglycerides \[\>150 mg/dL\] and low HDL \[\<40mg/dL for men and \<50 mg/dL for women\]), or d) elevated blood pressure (\>130/\>85 mmHg). * Fluent in Hebrew * The study requires an active study partner Exclusion Criteria: * Diabetes (of any type) * Taking medications that may affect glucose metabolism (including a GLP-1RA). * Diagnosis of dementia and its subtypes, conditions that may directly affect cognition, * short life expectancy or a medical condition that precludes consistent participation in the study, * contraindications to either insulin or Semaglutide. * Medications that may affect glucose metabolism such as corticosteroids.

Study locations

1 registered sites.

Israel. Showing up to 24 locations stored in the fast local snapshot.

Joseph Sagol Neuroscience center, Sheba Medical Center

Ramat Gan, Israel

Publications

Results and literature.

PMID 26711459Love S, Miners JS. Cerebrovascular disease in ageing and Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol. 2016 May;131(5):645-58. doi: 10.1007/s00401-015-1522-0. Epub 2015 Dec 28.PMID 27350397Daulatzai MA. Cerebral hypoperfusion and glucose hypometabolism: Key pathophysiological modulators promote neurodegeneration, cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease. J Neurosci Res. 2017 Apr;95(4):943-972. doi: 10.1002/jnr.23777. Epub 2016 Jun 27.PMID 32982937Kim HW, Hong J, Jeon JC. Cerebral Small Vessel Disease and Alzheimer's Disease: A Review. Front Neurol. 2020 Aug 25;11:927. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00927. eCollection 2020.PMID 31189511Gerstein HC, Colhoun HM, Dagenais GR, Diaz R, Lakshmanan M, Pais P, Probstfield J, Riesmeyer JS, Riddle MC, Ryden L, Xavier D, Atisso CM, Dyal L, Hall S, Rao-Melacini P, Wong G, Avezum A, Basile J, Chung N, Conget I, Cushman WC, Franek E, Hancu N, Hanefeld M, Holt S, Jansky P, Keltai M, Lanas F, Leiter LA, Lopez-Jaramillo P, Cardona Munoz EG, Pirags V, Pogosova N, Raubenheimer PJ, Shaw JE, Sheu WH, Temelkova-Kurktschiev T; REWIND Investigators. Dulaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes (REWIND): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2019 Jul 13;394(10193):121-130. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31149-3. Epub 2019 Jun 9.PMID 31924562Gerstein HC, Hart R, Colhoun HM, Diaz R, Lakshmanan M, Botros FT, Probstfield J, Riddle MC, Ryden L, Atisso CM, Dyal L, Hall S, Avezum A, Basile J, Conget I, Cushman WC, Hancu N, Hanefeld M, Jansky P, Keltai M, Lanas F, Leiter LA, Lopez-Jaramillo P, Munoz EGC, Pogosova N, Raubenheimer PJ, Shaw JE, Sheu WH, Temelkova-Kurktschiev T. The effect of dulaglutide on stroke: an exploratory analysis of the REWIND trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2020 Feb;8(2):106-114. doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(19)30423-1. Epub 2020 Jan 7.PMID 32562683Cukierman-Yaffe T, Gerstein HC, Colhoun HM, Diaz R, Garcia-Perez LE, Lakshmanan M, Bethel A, Xavier D, Probstfield J, Riddle MC, Ryden L, Atisso CM, Hall S, Rao-Melacini P, Basile J, Cushman WC, Franek E, Keltai M, Lanas F, Leiter LA, Lopez-Jaramillo P, Pirags V, Pogosova N, Raubenheimer PJ, Shaw JE, Sheu WH, Temelkova-Kurktschiev T. Effect of dulaglutide on cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes: an exploratory analysis of the REWIND trial. Lancet Neurol. 2020 Jul;19(7):582-590. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(20)30173-3.PMID 12821276Wu JH, Haan MN, Liang J, Ghosh D, Gonzalez HM, Herman WH. Impact of antidiabetic medications on physical and cognitive functioning of older Mexican Americans with diabetes mellitus: a population-based cohort study. Ann Epidemiol. 2003 May;13(5):369-76. doi: 10.1016/s1047-2797(02)00464-7.PMID 19237574Chen Y, Zhou K, Wang R, Liu Y, Kwak YD, Ma T, Thompson RC, Zhao Y, Smith L, Gasparini L, Luo Z, Xu H, Liao FF. Antidiabetic drug metformin (GlucophageR) increases biogenesis of Alzheimer's amyloid peptides via up-regulating BACE1 transcription. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Mar 10;106(10):3907-12. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0807991106. Epub 2009 Feb 23.PMID 32568367Craft S, Raman R, Chow TW, Rafii MS, Sun CK, Rissman RA, Donohue MC, Brewer JB, Jenkins C, Harless K, Gessert D, Aisen PS. Safety, Efficacy, and Feasibility of Intranasal Insulin for the Treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer Disease Dementia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurol. 2020 Sep 1;77(9):1099-1109. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.1840.PMID 28372335Craft S, Claxton A, Baker LD, Hanson AJ, Cholerton B, Trittschuh EH, Dahl D, Caulder E, Neth B, Montine TJ, Jung Y, Maldjian J, Whitlow C, Friedman S. Effects of Regular and Long-Acting Insulin on Cognition and Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers: A Pilot Clinical Trial. J Alzheimers Dis. 2017;57(4):1325-1334. doi: 10.3233/JAD-161256.PMID 34101779Kellar D, Lockhart SN, Aisen P, Raman R, Rissman RA, Brewer J, Craft S. Intranasal Insulin Reduces White Matter Hyperintensity Progression in Association with Improvements in Cognition and CSF Biomarker Profiles in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease. J Prev Alzheimers Dis. 2021;8(3):240-248. doi: 10.14283/jpad.2021.14.PMID 34756135Yoo H, Kim H, Koh I, Lee K, Ok J. Effect of Metabolic Syndrome on the Incidence of Dementia Based on National Insurance Data in Korea. Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2022 Feb;20(1):29-35. doi: 10.1089/met.2021.0046. Epub 2021 Nov 9.

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