FTD

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Evaluating the effects of GLP-1 analog, as a treatment for sporadic behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD)

• IRAS ID

  1007729

• Contact name

  Paul Edison

• Contact email

  Paul.edison@imperial.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Imperial College London

• Research summary

  Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) encompasses a group of neurodegenerative pathologies characterized by changes in social behavior and personality or language difficulties and degeneration of the frontal lobes. A major clinical syndrome within the frontotemporal dementia (FTLD) spectrum includes behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD), associated with neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, increased insulin resistance and impairment of neuronal function and neurodegeneration.
  The hallmark of bvFTD is a progressive change in personality and behavior, along with other features such as socially inappropriate behavior, abnormalities in eating behavior, apathy and empathy. Two-thirds of the cases of bvFTD are sporadic and there is little research in this cohort with identified treatments.
  As bvFTD patients display a greater dysregulation of eating behavior and peripheral insulin resistance, it is possible that insulin resistance may be a mechanism of development. GLP1-1 analogs are widely used in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. GLP-1 analogs have demonstrated effects on neuronal function reducing inflammation, diminishing abnormal protein formation, and improving synaptic function, and improving glucose transport across, thus preventing the progression of neurodegeneration.
  In this phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we aim to evaluate the safety, tolerability and the effect of oral semaglutide (a GLP1-1 oral analog administered as a tablet) in sporadic variant of bvFTD. This study will evaluate the influence of semaglutide on brain volume, cognition, and biological markers in sporadic behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia. We aim to have 126 subjects recruited.

• REC name

  London - Brent Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  24/LO/0287

• Date of REC Opinion

  14 Jun 2024

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion