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Mild Cognitive ImpairmentBALSAMNCT04436614

Management of Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients With Aloe and Crocus - BALSAM

A study testing Dietary Supplement:Aloe Vera with Crocus (saffron), Dietary Supplement:Aloe Vera (simple) and Dietary Supplement:Mediterranean Diet in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment, run by Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki at 1 site in Greece.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

There is accumulating evidence suggesting that Aloe vera and Crocus (saffron) may have a positive impact on conditions involving cognitive deficits, such as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and AD. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 55 to 85 years
Conditions the study is for
Mild Cognitive Impairment
What is being tested?
Dietary Supplement:Aloe Vera with Crocus (saffron), Dietary Supplement:Aloe Vera (simple) and Dietary Supplement:Mediterranean Diet
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
100 participants
Where
1 siteGreece
Study dates
17 Dec 2017to 30 Oct 2019
Phase
Interventional
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 55 to 85 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Memory Complaints
  • Abnormal memory function documented by scoring 1 SD below the age-adjusted mean on the Logical Memory II subscale, (Delayed Paragraph Recall) from the Wechsler Memory Scale-R.
  • MMSE 24-30
  • CDR(sum of boxes) >= 0,5
  • Diagnosis: Mild Cognitive Impairment (amnestic plus multi-domain)
  • Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) <6
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  • Hachinski Modified Ischemic scale <= 4
  • Stability of Permitted Medications for 4 weeks
  • Years of education: >= 5
  • Proficient language fluency
  • Compliance

Who cannot join

  • Visual and auditory acuity inadequate for neuropsychological testing
  • Enrollment in other trials or studies not compatible with MICOIL
  • History of significant neurological or psychiatric illnesses or presence of other diseases precluding enrollment.
  • Use of forbidden medications (listed below)
  • Ferromagnetic implants and devices (including implants or devices held in place by sutures, granulation or ingrowth of tissue, fixation devices, or by other means) not eligible for MRI scanning. Brain malformation or other conditions that may complicate lumbar puncture
  • Excluded Medication:
Show all 12Show fewer
  • Antidepressants with anti-cholinergic properties.
  • Regular use of narcotic analgesics (>2 doses per week) within 4 weeks of screening.
  • Use of neuroleptics with anti-cholinergic properties (e.g., chlorpromazine, thioridazine) within 4 weeks of screening.
  • Chronic use of other medications with significant central nervous system anticholinergic activity within 4 weeks of screening (e.g., diphenhydramine).
  • Use of Anti-Parkinsonian medications (including Sinemet, amantadine, bromocriptine, pergolide, selegeline) within 4 weeks of screening.
  • Participation in any other investigational drug study within 4 weeks of screening (individuals may not participate in any drug study while participating in this protocol).

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Greece1 site
  • Greek Alzheimer's Association and Related Disorders

    Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54248

Other trials in Greece

About this study

Official title: Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Prospective Study, to Evaluate the Effect of Aloe Vera and Crocus in Patiens With Mild Cognitive Impairment

There is accumulating evidence suggesting that Aloe vera and Crocus (saffron) may have a positive impact on conditions involving cognitive deficits, such as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and AD. More specifically, aloe vera gel contains powerful antioxidants, which belong to a large family of substances known as polyphenols. Aloe has also been proven to possess cholinergic and cognitive enhancing capabilities. Crocus is deeper studied and it shows promising results in neuroprotection against AD through various suggested mechanisms, such as the enhancement of amyloid-beta clearance in the brain and the inhibition of neurofibrillary tangles formation. For this reason, it would be interesting to study the effects of combination of Aloe Vera and Crocus . The aim of the study is to evaluate the beneficial effect of Aloe Vera and Crocus (saffron) in comparison with Aloe (simple)on patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment MCI.

Study Type: Interventional Study Design: Allocation: Randomized Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator) Primary Purpose: Prevention

Read the detailed description

OBJECTIVES OF THE TRIAL

The objectives of this study are:

To investigate the efficacy of Aloe Vera and Crocus as a disease course modifying treatment for MCI in a phase III double-blind placebo-controlled study.

To investigate the effects in objective measurements in patients with MCI.

STUDY DESIGN This is a Greek, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study group of compared Aloe Vera and Crocus with placebo. Qualifying patients will be randomly assigned to receive 45 mL of Aloe Vera and Crocus or placebo (ALOE) or mediterranean dietary protocol on a daily basis for 24 months. Patients undergo assessments at baseline,12 and 24 months +/- 7 days after beginning of the treatment.

Duration The total study duration will be 36 months. Patients will receive study medication for 24 months.The recruitment will be about 6 months and the statistics and the preparation of the paper other 6 months.

Number of Subjects One hundred fifty (150) subjects total will be enrolled. ; Fifty (50) in the experimental group (Aloe Vera with Crocus); Fifty (50) in the Control Group 1(Aloe) and fifty (50) in control Group 2(same dietary habits-mediterranean dietary protocol).

Patient Eligibility Screening Form (ESF)

An eligibility form documenting the patient's fulfilment of the entry criteria will be completed by the assessor. The following information will be included in the ESF:

Patient identification: Initials (First initial of first name and First initial of surname), date of birth and Patient Identification Number.

Eligibility Screening; Checklist of inclusion and exclusion criteria Eligibility Statement; for patients found to be ineligible, the reason for ineligibility must be stated Written informed consent will be obtained from the subject . The informed consent form must be co-signed by the physician. The nature of the study and the potential risks associated with the trial will be explained to all subject candidates and their responsible informants.

Signature and date: the ESF may be completed by an assessor but it is required that the principal investigator/study clinician sign and date the ESF to verify eligibility of the patient for inclusion.

Being tested
Dietary Supplement:Aloe Vera with Crocus (saffron), Dietary Supplement:Aloe Vera (simple), Dietary Supplement:Mediterranean Diet
Keywords
Mild Cognitive Impairment,, Aloe,, Crocus,, Intervention
Medical subject headings
Cognitive Dysfunction

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Dietary Supplement:Aloe Vera with Crocus (saffron)Dietary supplement

    Dietary Supplement:Aloe Vera with Crocus (saffron) with 1L of Aloe Vera with Crocus (saffron) 1 glass bottle per 15 days

  • Dietary Supplement:Aloe Vera (simple)Dietary supplement

    Dietary Supplement:Aloe Vera (simple)with 1L of Aloe Vera 1 glass bottle per 15 days

  • Dietary Supplement:Mediterranean DietDietary supplement

    Dietary Supplement:Mediterranean dietary protocol Intervention:mediterranean diet

Study groups in NCT04436614
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Aloe Vera and CrocusExperimental50 patients Aloe Vera and Crocus (saffron) 1L, 1 bottle per 15 days. Dietary Supplement: Aloe Vera and Crocus (saffron) in a glass bottle Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Aloe Vera and Crocus (saffron) in a glass bottle 1L, per 15 days.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Dietary Supplement:Aloe Vera with Crocus (saffron)
Aloe VeraPlacebo comparator50 patients Aloe Vera (simple) in a glass bottle 1L, 1 bottle per 15 days. Dietary Supplement: Aloe Vera (simple) in a glass bottle Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Aloe Vera (simple) in a glass bottle in a glass bottle 1L, per 15 days.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Dietary Supplement:Aloe Vera (simple)
Mediterranean DietOther50 patients Mediterranean dietary protocol Intervention:mediterranean diet
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Dietary Supplement:Mediterranean Diet

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Neuropsychological Assessment- Measurements to Assess General Cognitive Function.

    Changes in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  2. FUCAS-Measurements to Assess Daily Functionality

    Changes in Functional cognitive assessment scale (FUCAS) score score scale:0-42,cut offs:<42

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  3. Letter & Category Fluency Test- Measurement to Assess Verbal Fluency and Learning

    Changes in the Letter \& Category Fluency Test

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  4. CDR- Measurements to Assess General Cognitive Function

    Changes in Global Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score (sum of boxes)

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  5. MoCA- Measurements to Assess General Cognitive Function

    Changes in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  6. Clock Drawing test- Measurements to Assess General Cognitive Function

    Changes in the Clock Drawing test

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  7. Logical Memory test- Measurements to Assess General Cognitive Function

    Changes in the Logical Memory test

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  8. Digit Span Forward & Backward test- Measurements to Assess General Cognitive Function

    Changes in the Digit Span Forward \& Backward test

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  9. WAIS-R Digit Symbol- Measurements to Assess General Cognitive Function

    Changes in the WAIS-R Digit Symbol Substitution Test

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  10. TMT part A and B- Measurements to Assess General Cognitive Function

    Changes in the Trail Making Test

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  11. ADASCog-Measurements to Assess Daily Functionality

    Changes in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADASCog)

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  12. Functional Rating Scale for Dementia-Measurements to Assess Daily Functionality

    Changes in Functional Rating Scale for Dementia (FRSSD)

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  13. Auditory Verbal Learning Test- Measurement to Assess Verbal Fluency and Learning

    Changes in the Auditory Verbal Learning Test

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. NeuroImaging

    Changes in brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 1.5 Tesla (brain atrophy)

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  2. CSF - beta amyloid

    Changes in mean values on high sensitivity beta-amyloid 1-42 protein

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  3. CSF TAU-protein

    Changes in mean values on TAU-protein in cerebrospinal fluid

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

  4. Electroencephalography recording

    Changes in Event-Related Potential (ERP) (oddball paradigm, auditory ERPs) Electroencephalography recording Changes in Electroencephalography (EEG), resting state. The device records brain signals through 57 electrodes, 2 reference electrodes attached to the earlobes, and a ground electrode placed at a left anterior position

    Measured: baseline, 12 and 24 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted18 Jun 2020
  2. Study start17 Dec 2017
  3. Primary completion30 May 2018
  4. Study completion30 Oct 2019

Resources

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 N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Single (Participant)
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
100 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04436614
Sponsor's protocol ID
31b/17-05-17
Acronym
BALSAM
Status last verified
Jun 2020
First submitted
24 Sep 2019
Last updated
22 Jun 2020
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Tzekaki EE, Tsolaki M, Pantazaki AA, Geromichalos G, Lazarou E, Kozori M, Sinakos Z. Administration of the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients as a therapy for preventing the progress to AD. Hell J Nucl Med. 2019 Sep-Dec;22 Suppl 2:181.

    PubMed 31802059
  • Tsolaki M, Karathanasi E, Lazarou I, Dovas K, Verykouki E, Karacostas A, Georgiadis K, Tsolaki A, Adam K, Kompatsiaris I, Sinakos Z. Efficacy and Safety of Crocus sativus L. in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: One Year Single-Blind Randomized, with Parallel Groups, Clinical Trial. J Alzheimers Dis. 2016 Jul 27;54(1):129-33. doi: 10.3233/JAD-160304.

    PubMed 27472878

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Dietary Supplement:Aloe Vera with Crocus (saffron), Dietary Supplement:Aloe Vera (simple) and Dietary Supplement:Mediterranean Diet in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment, run by Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki at 1 site in Greece.

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 11 inclusion and 12 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 22 Jun 2020. 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 Greece. 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.

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?

Neuropsychological Assessment- Measurements to Assess General Cognitive Function. (time frame: baseline, 12 and 24 months). The study lists 13 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT04436614, which also lists 2 linked publications.

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 22 Jun 2020.

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