Alzheimer DiseasePhase 2NCT03373604
Imaging Tau in Alzheimer's Disease and Normal Aging
A Phase 2 study testing 18F-MK-6240 and Lumbar Puncture (optional) in people with Alzheimer Disease, run by Patrick Lao at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study is being done to learn about tau tangles in Alzheimer's disease. A type of positron emission tomography (PET) scan is used to measure the abnormal accumulation of protein called tau in the brain. These are thought to be involved in Alzheimer's disease. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 50 to 100 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Alzheimer Disease
- What is being tested?
- 18F-MK-6240 and Lumbar Puncture (optional)
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 71 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 11 Dec 2017to 11 May 2022
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
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 50 to 100 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 50 and older.
- Meet criteria for either
- amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (single or mixed domain) or mild Alzheimer's disease (AD), or
- have no cognitive impairment, based on history, exam, neuropsychological testing, and consensus diagnosis. MCI and mild AD patients must have Clinical Dementia Rating scale score of 0.5 or 1. Unimpaired subjects must have Clinical Dementia Rating scale score of 0.
- Subjects unable to provide informed consent must have a surrogate decision maker.
- Written and oral fluency in English or Spanish.
- Able to participate in all scheduled evaluations and to complete all required tests and procedures.
- In the opinion of the investigator, the subject must be considered likely to comply with the study protocol and to have a high probability of completing the study.
Who cannot join
- Past or present history of certain brain disorders other than MCI or AD.
- Certain significant medical conditions, which make study procedures of the current study unsafe. Such serious medical conditions include uncontrolled epilepsy and multiple serious injuries.
- Contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning.
- Conditions precluding entry into the scanners (e.g. morbid obesity, claustrophobia, etc.).
- History of kidney disease or presence of impaired kidney function based on laboratory tests at screening visit.
- History of liver disease or presence of impaired liver function based on laboratory tests at screening visit.
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- Participation in the last year in a clinical trial for a disease modifying drug for AD.
- Inability to have a catheter in subject's vein for the injection of radioligand.
- Inability to have blood drawn from subject's veins.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Columbia University Medical Center
New York, New York, 10032
About this study
Official title: Imaging Tau in Alzheimer's Disease and Normal Aging With 18F-MK-6240
This study is being done to learn about tau tangles in Alzheimer's disease. A type of positron emission tomography (PET) scan is used to measure the abnormal accumulation of protein called tau in the brain. These are thought to be involved in Alzheimer's disease. The investigators will also perform brain MRI and to tests to measure the participant's memory and thinking.
Read the detailed description
This study is being done to determine the relationship between tau tangles and cognitive impairment in elderly subjects with and without Alzheimer's disease (AD). Subjects will undergo screen that includes neuropsychological testing and brain MRI. This study uses a special type of scan called a PET scan to take pictures of the brain. During the PET scan, a special radioactive dye called 18F-MK-6240 is injected into the body. 18F-MK-6240 sticks to abnormal tangles made of the protein tau. Subjects will have the option to have lumbar puncture performed to measure CSF concentrations of biomarkers.
- Conditions
- Alzheimer Disease
- Being tested
- 18F-MK-6240, Lumbar Puncture (optional)
- Keywords
- 18F-MK-6240, Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer's
- Medical subject headings
- Alzheimer Disease, Cognitive Dysfunction
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
18F-MK-6240Drug
Also called [18F]-MK6240
18F-MK-6240 is a PET radioligand that binds abnormal tangles made of the protein tau. These tau tangles develop in the brain in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Lumbar Puncture (optional)Procedure or surgery
Subjects have the option to have lumbar puncture performed for the measurement of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive impairment | Experimental | Alzheimer's disease (mild cognitive impairment or mild stage Alzheimer's disease dementia) Receives: Drug: 18F-MK-6240; Procedure: Lumbar Puncture (optional) |
| No cognitive impairment | Active comparator | Healthy controls Receives: Drug: 18F-MK-6240; Procedure: Lumbar Puncture (optional) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
18F-MK-6240 Binding
Standardized uptake value ratio (SUVr)
Measured: 1 day
Secondary outcomes (1)
Correlation Between Tau, Neurodegeneration and Inflammation Using PET and CSF Biomarkers.
Correlation of 18F-MK-6240 binding and CSF markers of neurodegeneration and inflammation.
Measured: One year follow-up
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Dec 2017
- Study start11 Dec 2017
- Primary completion11 May 2022
- Study completion11 May 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Alzheimer DiseaseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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 2
- Primary purpose
- Diagnosis
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 71 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Patrick Lao
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Patrick Lao, Columbia University
- Investigators
- Patrick Lao, PhD, Principal investigator, Columbia University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03373604
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AAAR4352
- Other IDs
- K23AG052633-02, 2R56AG034189-06A1, K24AG045334, R01AG055299, R01AG050440-02S1
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 11 Dec 2017
- Last updated
- 8 May 2025
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Klein J, Yan X, Johnson A, Tomljanovic Z, Zou J, Polly K, Honig LS, Brickman AM, Stern Y, Devanand DP, Lee S, Kreisl WC. Olfactory Impairment Is Related to Tau Pathology and Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis. 2021;80(3):1051-1065. doi: 10.3233/JAD-201149.
PubMed 33646153
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 May 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Imaging Tau in Alzheimer's Disease and Normal Aging With 18F-MK-6240
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03373604
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AAAR4352
- Conditions
- Alzheimer Disease
- Keywords
- 18F-MK-6240, Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer's
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 71 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Patrick LaoUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Study start
- 11 Dec 2017 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 11 May 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 11 May 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 14 Dec 2017 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 8 May 2025
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study is being done to learn about tau tangles in Alzheimer's disease. A type of positron emission tomography (PET) scan is used to measure the abnormal accumulation of protein called tau in the brain. These are thought to be involved in Alzheimer's disease. The investigators will also perform brain MRI and to tests to measure the participant's memory and thinking.
Detailed description
This study is being done to determine the relationship between tau tangles and cognitive impairment in elderly subjects with and without Alzheimer's disease (AD). Subjects will undergo screen that includes neuropsychological testing and brain MRI. This study uses a special type of scan called a PET scan to take pictures of the brain. During the PET scan, a special radioactive dye called 18F-MK-6240 is injected into the body. 18F-MK-6240 sticks to abnormal tangles made of the protein tau. Subjects will have the option to have lumbar puncture performed to measure CSF concentrations of biomarkers.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Diagnosis
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive impairment | Experimental | Drug: 18F-MK-6240, Procedure: Lumbar Puncture (optional)Alzheimer's disease (mild cognitive impairment or mild stage Alzheimer's disease dementia) |
| No cognitive impairment | Active comparator | Drug: 18F-MK-6240, Procedure: Lumbar Puncture (optional)Healthy controls |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 50 to 100 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Age 50 and older.
- Meet criteria for either
- Subjects unable to provide informed consent must have a surrogate decision maker.
- Written and oral fluency in English or Spanish.
- Able to participate in all scheduled evaluations and to complete all required tests and procedures.
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Past or present history of certain brain disorders other than MCI or AD.
- Certain significant medical conditions, which make study procedures of the current study unsafe. Such serious medical conditions include uncontrolled epilepsy and multiple serious injuries.
- Contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning.
- Conditions precluding entry into the scanners (e.g. morbid obesity, claustrophobia, etc.).
- History of kidney disease or presence of impaired kidney function based on laboratory tests at screening visit.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 18F-MK-6240Also: [18F]-MK624018F-MK-6240 is a PET radioligand that binds abnormal tangles made of the protein tau. These tau tangles develop in the brain in people with Alzheimer's disease. | Drug | Cognitive impairment, No cognitive impairment |
| Lumbar Puncture (optional)Subjects have the option to have lumbar puncture performed for the measurement of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid. | Procedure or surgery | Cognitive impairment, No cognitive impairment |
Primary outcome
18F-MK-6240 Binding
Time frame: 1 day
Standardized uptake value ratio (SUVr)
1 secondary outcome
Correlation Between Tau, Neurodegeneration and Inflammation Using PET and CSF Biomarkers.
Time frame: One year follow-up
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 May 2025.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 33646153Klein J, Yan X, Johnson A, Tomljanovic Z, Zou J, Polly K, Honig LS, Brickman AM, Stern Y, Devanand DP, Lee S, Kreisl WC. Olfactory Impairment Is Related to Tau Pathology and Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis. 2021;80(3):1051-1065. doi: 10.3233/JAD-201149.
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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.
Patrick Lao, PhD principal investigator
Columbia University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2 study testing 18F-MK-6240 and Lumbar Puncture (optional) in people with Alzheimer Disease, run by Patrick Lao at 1 site in United States.
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 8 inclusion and 9 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 8 May 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. 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. 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 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 8 May 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
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?
18F-MK-6240 Binding (time frame: 1 day). 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 NCT03373604, 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 8 May 2025.