Abstract
Background: Cognitive dysfunction is a key predictor of functional disability in schizophrenia. Davunetide (AL-108, NAP) is an intranasally administered peptide currently being developed for treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. This study investigates effects of davunetide on cognition in schizophrenia. Method: Sixty-three subjects with schizophrenia received davunetide at one of two different doses (5, 30. mg) or placebo for 12. weeks in a multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group randomized clinical trial. The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) assessed cognitive effects. The UCSD Performance-based Skills Assessment (UPSA) and the Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS) assessed functional capacity. Subjects continued their current antipsychotic treatment during the trial. Results: There were no significant differences in MCCB change between davunetide and placebo over the three treatment arms (p. =. .45). Estimated effect-size (d) values were .34 and .21 favoring the 5 and 30. mg doses vs. placebo, respectively. For UPSA, there was a significant main effect of treatment across study arms (p. =. .048). Between-group effect size (d) values were.74 and .48, favoring the 5 and 30. mg doses, respectively. No significant effects were observed on the SCoRS or on symptom ratings. No significant side effects or adverse events were observed. Conclusion: Davunetide was well tolerated. Effects of davunetide on MCCB-rated cognition were not significant relative to placebo. In contrast, a significant beneficial effect was detected for the UPSA. Based upon effect-size considerations, sample sizes of at least 45-50 subjects/group would be required to obtain significant effects on both MCCB and UPSA, providing guidance for continued clinical development in schizophrenia.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 25-31 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Schizophrenia Research |
Volume | 136 |
Issue number | 1-3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Funding for this study was provided by NIMH contract HHSN 27820044 1003C; PI: Steve Marder, M.D. The NIMH had no further role in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report, and in the decision to submit the paper for supervision.
Keywords
- Cognition
- Microtubule
- Neurite
- Schizophrenia