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An open-label study to assess the feasibility and tolerability of rilmenidine for the treatment of Huntington's disease.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Underwood, Benjamin R 
Green-Thompson, Zeyn W 
Pugh, Peter J 
Lazic, Stanley E 
Mason, Sarah L 

Abstract

UNLABELLED: Preclinical data have shown that rilmenidine can regulate autophagy in models of Huntington's disease (HD), providing a potential route to alter the disease course in patients. Consequently, a 2-year open-label study examining the tolerability and feasibility of rilmenidine in mild-moderate HD was undertaken. 18 non-demented patients with mild to moderate HD took daily doses of 1 mg Rilmenidine for 6 months and 2 mg for a further 18 months followed by a 3-month washout period. The primary outcome was the number of withdrawals and serious adverse events. Secondary outcomes included safety parameters and changes in disease-specific variables, such as motor, cognitive and functional performance, structural MRI and serum metabolomic analysis. 12 patients completed the study; reasons for withdrawal included problems tolerating study procedures (MRI, and venepuncture), depression requiring hospital admission and logistical reasons. Three serious adverse events were recorded, including hospitalisation for depression, but none were thought to be drug-related. Changes in secondary outcomes were analysed as the annual rate of change in the study group. The overall change was comparable to changes seen in recent large observational studies in HD patients, though direct statistical comparisons to these studies were not made. Chronic oral administration of rilmenidine is feasible and well-tolerated and future, larger, placebo-controlled, studies in HD are warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT number 2009-018119-14.

Description

Keywords

Autophagy, Cognition, Interventional trial, MRI, Neurodegenerative disease, Adolescent, Adrenergic alpha-Agonists, Adult, Aged, Brain, Female, Humans, Huntington Disease, Longitudinal Studies, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Metabolomics, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Oxazoles, Retrospective Studies, Rilmenidine, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult

Journal Title

J Neurol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0340-5354
1432-1459

Volume Title

264

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (103838/Z/14/Z)
Medical Research Council (MR/P011705/1)
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) (146281)
Wellcome Trust (095317/Z/11/Z)
Medical Research Council (MC_PC_12012)
Medical Research Council (MC_U105597119)
Medical Research Council (MC_PC_13030)
Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00005/12)
This work was supported by an NIHR grant of a Biomedical Research Centre to the University of Cambridge/ Addenbrookes Hospital, Wellcome Trust (Principal Research Fellowship to DCR (095317/Z/11/Z) and JBR (Senior Research Fellowship, 103838) and DCR is grateful for funding from the UK Dementia Research Institute (funded by the MRC, Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Alzheimer’s Society). In addition the imaging part of the study was supported by a grant from the Rosetrees Trust