Tardive DyskinesiaPhase 3XeladysNCT01543321
Xenazine in Late Dyskinetic Syndrome With Neuroleptics
A Phase 3 study testing Tetrabenazine in people with Tardive Dyskinesia, run by Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens at 19 sites in France.
Trial summary
Late dyskinetic syndrome with neuroleptics, or tardive dyskinesia, is the appearance of abnormal involuntary movements (AIM) in patients treated with antipsychotics for at least three months. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Tardive Dyskinesia
- What is being tested?
- Tetrabenazine
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 54 participants
- Where
- 19 sitesFrance
- Study dates
- 14 May 2012to Aug 2017
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adult (age over 18) or adult under judicial protection (tutor or curator).
- Patient with late dyskinetic syndrome with neuroleptics yielding functional disability and/or impact in every day's life, according to the investigator, and/or the patient and/or the patient's family.
- Patient with persistent late dyskinetic syndrome, even if the neuroleptic has been stopped for more than 6 months or patient with late dyskinetic syndrome under neuroleptic treatment unchanged for at least 3 months and which would a priori not need any dose variation during the study time.
- MADRS < 18
- QTc < 450 ms for men and < 470 for women.
Who cannot join
- Lack of social insurance
- Neuroleptic treatment less than 3 months
- Insanity according to the DSM IV and MMS < 24
- Predominant akathisia
- Psychiatric disease not stabilized for more than 6 months and/or which could require a neuroleptic treatment adaptation during study time.
- Pregnancy and lactating
Show all 14Show fewer
- Women in genital activity without efficient contraception method (IUD or estrogen-progestin pill)
- Hypersensitivity to tetrabenazine
- Renal failure
- Drugs: Non-selective MAOIs, dopaminergic (or other antiparkinsonian)
- Other severe pathology
- Patient non compliant to protocol, at the investigator's appreciation
- Simultaneous participation to other clinical trial
- Congenital galactosemia, glucose malabsorption or lactase deficiency
Trial locations and contacts
19 sites in 1 country.
19 sites in 1 country
France19 sites
CH Aix en Provence
Aix-en-Provence, 13100
CHU Amiens
Amiens, Picardie, 80000
CHU Bordeaux
Bordeaux, 33076
CHU Caen
Caen, 14033
CHU Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand, 63003
CHRU Lille
Lille, 59037
CHU Limoges
Limoges, 87042
CH des Charpennes
Lyon, 69100
AP-HM Hopital de la Timone
Marseille, 13385
CHU Montpellier
Montpellier, 34295
CHU Nantes
Nantes, 44093
CHU Nice
Nice, 06002
CHRU de Nimes
Nîmes, 30900
CHU Saint Antoine
Paris, 75012
CHU Poitiers
Poitiers, 86021
CHU de Rennes
Rennes, 35033
CHU Rouen
Rouen, 76031
CHU Strasbourg
Strasbourg, 67091
CHU Toulouse
Toulouse, 31059
About this study
Official title: Study of Efficacy and Acceptability of Tetrabenazine in the Late Dyskinetic Syndrome With Neuroleptics: A Randomized, Parallel Group, Double-blind Placebo Controlled Multicentre Trial
Late dyskinetic syndrome with neuroleptics, or tardive dyskinesia, is the appearance of abnormal involuntary movements (AIM) in patients treated with antipsychotics for at least three months. This important public health issue arises for 15-20% of patients treated with neuroleptics, the most prescribed psychotropic drugs in mental disorders in France, and seriously impacts the patients' quality of life. In over 50% of cases, it is irreversible-that is to say that he will persist despite discontinuation of the offending drug.
Risk factors have been described: the age and female gender are established, a higher dosage of antipsychotic, a long-term treatment, a psychiatric condition other than schizophrenia are likely risk factors, intermittent treatment, previous acute dyskinesia, neuroleptics or powerful, longer term use of corrective treatments including anticholinergics are still discussed.
Read more
Apart from preventive treatment, which consists in using antipsychotics as being coerced, support is disappointing: the etiological treatment, which is to stop the offending antipsychotic, is effective only in less than 50% of cases, the syndrome is most often late irreversible. Must still have the possibility to interrupt the treatment, which is usually impossible in the risk of decompensation of the mental illness for which the neuroleptic was prescribed. Remains symptomatic treatment: functional neurosurgery is only for extreme cases, because it is not without risk, in terms of morbidity and mortality. So it's the medication that is most often offered: many drugs have been proposed, a direct result of the multiplicity of neurotransmitter systems implicated.
However, in the vast majority of cases, this approach is disappointing not to say ineffective. The only exception is the tetrabenazine, marketed under the name of Xenazine®. Empirically, neurologists specializing in pathology of the movement are almost unanimous: its efficiency is very good, with good tolerance. Some preliminary studies have reinforced this impression. However, their level of evidence remains low and that is why the investigators propose to implement a prospective multicenter clinical trial, double-blind with placebo which will include two groups of 27 patients.
Read the detailed description
Tetrabenazine is classified as a central monoamine depleting agent. In vitro studies have shown that it is an inhibitor of the vesicular monamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), resulting in synaptic dopamine depletion. This effect explains the reduction of hyperkinetic movement disorders.
Although tetrabenazine enjoys a reputation of very good efficacy in tardive syndromes, with good tolerance, it is still yet to empiricism because studies are few andf most importantly, of low level of evidence according the criteria of Evidence Based Medicine.
This is a randomized, multicenter, parallel group, double-blind placebo (tetrabenazine/placebo: 1/1), in two comparative conditions before and after 10 weeks of treatment with tetrabenazine (5-week titration to a maximum dose of 200 mg/day and 5 weeks at stable dose).
Study enrollment is proposed to patients fulfilling inclusion criteria.
The study should process as follows:
- Patients give their informed consent for participation after presentation of the study by the investigator.
- Visit V0: Given the patient's signed consent, global clinical examination, blood sampling, vital signs (weight, height, arterial tension, ECG are performed as well as a neurological examination (MMS). For women in childbearing potential, a urinary pregnancy test will be realized. It is noteworthy that a psychiatric consultation dating less than one month is required.
- Visit V1: patient is randomized in one of the two arms: tetrabenazine or placebo. Some tests are performed at baseline:
- Neurologic: ESRS, AIMS, CGI, UPDRSIII, MMS;
- Quality of life auto-questionnaires: SF36, Epworth; The treatment is prescribed following a titration phase during 5 weeks, a stable dose during 5 weeks, and a wash-out period during 2 weeks.
- At V2 (1 week after V1), V3 (3 weeks after V1) and V5 (7 weeks after V1): global clinical examination is performed and prescription observance is checked.
- At V4 (5 weeks after V1), V6 (10 weeks after V1) and V7 (12 weeks after V1): neurological (ESRS, AIMS, CGI, UPDRSIII, auto questionnaire SF36, Epworth, neuropsychological examination (MADRS), psychiatric examination (only at V6), vital signs and prescription observance.
- Conditions
- Tardive Dyskinesia
- Being tested
- Tetrabenazine, Placebo
- Keywords
- tetrabenazine, movement disorders, tardive disorders
- Medical subject headings
- Tardive Dyskinesia, Movement Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
TetrabenazineDrug
Also called Xenazine (tetrabenazine)
Treatment with tetrabenazine consists in:
- 5-week titration to a maximum dose of 200 mg / day
- 5 weeks at stable dose
- 2 weeks in wash-out
The treatment will be blinded for patients and investigators
PlaceboDrug
Treatment with placebo consists in:
- 5-week titration to a maximum dose of 200 mg / day
- 5 weeks at stable dose
- 2 weeks in wash-out
The treatment will be blinded for patients and investigators
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Tetrabenazine group | Experimental | Tetrabenazine is a drug that is administered orally. This is 25 mg tablets, divisible into 2. Receives: Drug: Tetrabenazine |
| Plagebo group | Placebo comparator | Patients will receive a buccal tablet identical to the experimental product Receives: Drug: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Changes in ESRS: Extrapyramidal Symptoms Rating Scale
Changes in ESRS from Baseline and V6 (10 weeks after randomization) are assessed at the end of the 10 weeks of treatment.
Measured: 10 weeks after randomization
Secondary outcomes (6)
Changes in Sub-score ESRS-II
ESRS-II is calculated as the ESRS total score minus ESRS sub-part II (worst score=0, best score=158).
The choice of this sub-score is justified because of the possibility of improving the total ESRS can be masked by the induction of parkinsonian syndrome represented by part II of the ESRS that we chose to subtract in order to achieve the ESRS 2.
Measured: At baseline (V1), V4 (7 weeks after V1), V6 (10 weeks after V1) and V7 (14 weeks after V1)
CGI amelioration
Clinical Global Impression is an ordinal scale in eight categories: unevaluated = 0; much worsened = 7
Measured: At baseline (V1), V4 (7 weeks after V1), V6 (10 weeks after V1) and V7 (14 weeks after V1)
Tolerance
Tolerance includes:
- neurological consultation
- global clinical examination: ECG (QT), BP, pulse, orthostatic hypotension, weight
Measured: within the 14 weeks of the patients' participation
Changes in Quality of life
Quality of life will be investigated with the SF36 questionnaire.
Measured: At baseline (V1), V4 (7 weeks after V1), V6 (10 weeks after V1) and V7 (14 weeks after V1)
AIMS improvement
Expected reduction of dyskinesia during the study will be investigated with the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS).
Measured: At baseline (V1), V4 (7 weeks after V1), V6 (10 weeks after V1) and V7 (14 weeks after V1)
Changes in intermediate ESRS and post-treatment ESRS
Changes in ESRS are assessed between baseline and the end of the titration period (7 weeks after randomization) and after the wash-out period (14 weeks after randomization).
Measured: 7 weeks after randomization and 14 weeks after randomization
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Mar 2012 (estimated)
- Study start14 May 2012
- Primary completion18 May 2017
- Study completionAug 2017
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Tardive DyskinesiaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, AmiensThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Pierre Krystkowiak, MD-PhD, Principal investigator, University Hopsital of Amiens
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01543321
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PI11-PR-KRYSTKOWIAK
- Other IDs
- 2011-004211-23
- Acronym
- Xeladys
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 22 Feb 2012
- Last updated
- 19 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Publications
Neurologies • Janvier 2012 • vol. 15 • numéro 144 page 35 http://association.gens.free.fr/NEUROLOGIA/Revues%20Neuro%20Articles/EXTRAPYRAMIDAL/$syndrome%20tardif%20aux%20neuroleptiques%204.pdf Le syndrome tardif aux neuroleptiques : quelle place pour la tétrabénazine ?
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Study of Efficacy and Acceptability of Tetrabenazine in the Late Dyskinetic Syndrome With Neuroleptics: A Randomized, Parallel Group, Double-blind Placebo Controlled Multicentre Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01543321
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Xeladys / PI11-PR-KRYSTKOWIAK
- Conditions
- Tardive Dyskinesia
- Keywords
- tetrabenazine, movement disorders, tardive disorders
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, AmiensUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 14 May 2012 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 18 May 2017 (actual)
- Study completion
- Aug 2017 (actual)
- First posted
- 2 Mar 2012 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Late dyskinetic syndrome with neuroleptics, or tardive dyskinesia, is the appearance of abnormal involuntary movements (AIM) in patients treated with antipsychotics for at least three months. This important public health issue arises for 15-20% of patients treated with neuroleptics, the most prescribed psychotropic drugs in mental disorders in France, and seriously impacts the patients' quality of life. In over 50% of cases, it is irreversible-that is to say that he will persist despite discontinuation of the offending drug.
Risk factors have been described: the age and female gender are established, a higher dosage of antipsychotic, a long-term treatment, a psychiatric condition other than schizophrenia are likely risk factors, intermittent treatment, previous acute dyskinesia, neuroleptics or powerful, longer term use of corrective treatments including anticholinergics are still discussed.
Apart from preventive treatment, which consists in using antipsychotics as being coerced, support is disappointing: the etiological treatment, which is to stop the offending antipsychotic, is effective only in less than 50% of cases, the syndrome is most often late irreversible. Must still have the possibility to interrupt the treatment, which is usually impossible in the risk of decompensation of the mental illness for which the neuroleptic was prescribed. Remains symptomatic treatment: functional neurosurgery is only for extreme cases, because it is not without risk, in terms of morbidity and mortality. So it's the medication that is most often offered: many drugs have been proposed, a direct result of the multiplicity of neurotransmitter systems implicated.
However, in the vast majority of cases, this approach is disappointing not to say ineffective. The only exception is the tetrabenazine, marketed under the name of Xenazine®. Empirically, neurologists specializing in pathology of the movement are almost unanimous: its efficiency is very good, with good tolerance. Some preliminary studies have reinforced this impression. However, their level of evidence remains low and that is why the investigators propose to implement a prospective multicenter clinical trial, double-blind with placebo which will include two groups of 27 patients.
Detailed description
Tetrabenazine is classified as a central monoamine depleting agent. In vitro studies have shown that it is an inhibitor of the vesicular monamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), resulting in synaptic dopamine depletion. This effect explains the reduction of hyperkinetic movement disorders.
Although tetrabenazine enjoys a reputation of very good efficacy in tardive syndromes, with good tolerance, it is still yet to empiricism because studies are few andf most importantly, of low level of evidence according the criteria of Evidence Based Medicine.
This is a randomized, multicenter, parallel group, double-blind placebo (tetrabenazine/placebo: 1/1), in two comparative conditions before and after 10 weeks of treatment with tetrabenazine (5-week titration to a maximum dose of 200 mg/day and 5 weeks at stable dose).
Study enrollment is proposed to patients fulfilling inclusion criteria.
The study should process as follows:
- Patients give their informed consent for participation after presentation of the study by the investigator.
- Visit V0: Given the patient's signed consent, global clinical examination, blood sampling, vital signs (weight, height, arterial tension, ECG are performed as well as a neurological examination (MMS). For women in childbearing potential, a urinary pregnancy test will be realized. It is noteworthy that a psychiatric consultation dating less than one month is required.
- Visit V1: patient is randomized in one of the two arms: tetrabenazine or placebo. Some tests are performed at baseline:
- Neurologic: ESRS, AIMS, CGI, UPDRSIII, MMS;
- Quality of life auto-questionnaires: SF36, Epworth; The treatment is prescribed following a titration phase during 5 weeks, a stable dose during 5 weeks, and a wash-out period during 2 weeks.
- At V2 (1 week after V1), V3 (3 weeks after V1) and V5 (7 weeks after V1): global clinical examination is performed and prescription observance is checked.
- At V4 (5 weeks after V1), V6 (10 weeks after V1) and V7 (12 weeks after V1): neurological (ESRS, AIMS, CGI, UPDRSIII, auto questionnaire SF36, Epworth, neuropsychological examination (MADRS), psychiatric examination (only at V6), vital signs and prescription observance.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Tetrabenazine group | Experimental | Drug: TetrabenazineTetrabenazine is a drug that is administered orally. This is 25 mg tablets, divisible into 2. |
| Plagebo group | Placebo comparator | Drug: PlaceboPatients will receive a buccal tablet identical to the experimental product |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Adult (age over 18) or adult under judicial protection (tutor or curator).
- Patient with late dyskinetic syndrome with neuroleptics yielding functional disability and/or impact in every day's life, according to the investigator, and/or the patient and/or the patient's family.
- Patient with persistent late dyskinetic syndrome, even if the neuroleptic has been stopped for more than 6 months or patient with late dyskinetic syndrome under neuroleptic treatment unchanged for at least 3 months and which would a priori not need any dose variation during the study time.
- MADRS < 18
- QTc < 450 ms for men and < 470 for women.
Key exclusion criteria (14 listed)
- Lack of social insurance
- Neuroleptic treatment less than 3 months
- Insanity according to the DSM IV and MMS < 24
- Predominant akathisia
- Psychiatric disease not stabilized for more than 6 months and/or which could require a neuroleptic treatment adaptation during study time.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| TetrabenazineAlso: Xenazine (tetrabenazine)Treatment with tetrabenazine consists in: * 5-week titration to a maximum dose of 200 mg / day * 5 weeks at stable dose * 2 weeks in wash-out The treatment will be blinded for patients and investigators | Drug | Tetrabenazine group |
| PlaceboTreatment with placebo consists in: * 5-week titration to a maximum dose of 200 mg / day * 5 weeks at stable dose * 2 weeks in wash-out The treatment will be blinded for patients and investigators | Drug | Plagebo group |
Primary outcome
Changes in ESRS: Extrapyramidal Symptoms Rating Scale
Time frame: 10 weeks after randomization
Changes in ESRS from Baseline and V6 (10 weeks after randomization) are assessed at the end of the 10 weeks of treatment.
6 secondary outcomes
Changes in Sub-score ESRS-II
Time frame: At baseline (V1), V4 (7 weeks after V1), V6 (10 weeks after V1) and V7 (14 weeks after V1)
CGI amelioration
Time frame: At baseline (V1), V4 (7 weeks after V1), V6 (10 weeks after V1) and V7 (14 weeks after V1)
Tolerance
Time frame: within the 14 weeks of the patients' participation
Changes in Quality of life
Time frame: At baseline (V1), V4 (7 weeks after V1), V6 (10 weeks after V1) and V7 (14 weeks after V1)
AIMS improvement
Time frame: At baseline (V1), V4 (7 weeks after V1), V6 (10 weeks after V1) and V7 (14 weeks after V1)
Changes in intermediate ESRS and post-treatment ESRS
Time frame: 7 weeks after randomization and 14 weeks after randomization
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Nov 2025.
- Results publicationNeurologies • Janvier 2012 • vol. 15 • numéro 144 page 35 http://association.gens.free.fr/NEUROLOGIA/Revues%20Neuro%20Articles/EXTRAPYRAMIDAL/$syndrome%20tardif%20aux%20neuroleptiques%204.pdf Le syndrome tardif aux neuroleptiques : quelle place pour la tétrabénazine ?
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Pierre Krystkowiak, MD-PhD principal investigator
University Hopsital of Amiens
19 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 3 study testing Tetrabenazine in people with Tardive Dyskinesia, run by Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens at 19 sites in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 14 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Nov 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 19 sites in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Changes in ESRS: Extrapyramidal Symptoms Rating Scale (time frame: 10 weeks after randomization). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01543321, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Nov 2025.