NCT05824728 · Johns Hopkins University
Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of AGB101 for Treatment of Parkinson's Disease Related Psychosis
(AGB101 PDP)
What this study is about
This clinical trial will test whether AGB101 (low-dose levetiracetam, 220 mg, extended release tablet) can improve symptoms of psychosis in Parkinson's disease. Participants will be asked to complete up to 5 in-person study visits over approximately 20 weeks. Participants will receive both AGB101 and a placebo to take once a day for 6 weeks, with a 4-week washout in between.
View original scientific description
This clinical trial will test whether AGB101 (low-dose levetiracetam, 220 mg, extended release tablet) can improve symptoms of psychosis in Parkinson's disease. Participants will be asked to complete up to 5 in-person study visits over approximately 20 weeks. Participants will receive both AGB101 and a placebo to take once a day for 6 weeks, with a 4-week washout in between. Participation will also involve physical/neurological exams, questionnaires, paper and pencil tests, providing blood and urine samples, and completing two MRI exams.
Interventions
DRUG
AGB101
low-dose levetiracetam, 220 mg, extended release tablet
Primary outcome measures
Change in hallucinations/delusions as assessed by the Enhanced Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease (eSAPS-PD)
Time frame: Screening, Baseline, Week 3, Week 6, Week 13, Week 16
The eSAPS-PD is used to track changes in hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms over time. It was adapted from the scale for the assessment of positive symptoms (SAPS), which is used to track positive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. The eSAPS-PD is a 13-item questionnaire which specifically assesses the frequency or severity of the most common types of hallucinations or delusions found in PD, namely auditory hallucinations, voices conversing, somatic or tactile hallucinations, visual hallucinations, persecutory delusions, delusions of jealousy and delusions of reference. In addition, the enhanced version assesses minor psychotic phenomena such as illusions, passage hallucinations, and presence hallucinations. Each item is rated from 0-5, with 0 representing none and 5 representing severe and frequent symptoms, and the total score ranges from 0 to 65.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- at screening:
- Subjects between 40 and 85 years old (inclusive) in good general health:
- Willing and able to consent and participate for the duration of the study.
- Have eighth-grade education or good work history sufficient to exclude mental retardation.
- Have visual and auditory acuity adequate for neuropsychological testing.
- Have proficient fluency of the native local language to participate in all the neuropsychological test assessments.
- Have a study partner who has sufficient contact (≥ 2 hours per week) with the subject to assist with dosing of study medication (if necessary) and provide assessments of any changes and an independent evaluation of the subject's functioning.
- Have PDP as defined by all of the following criteria and consistent with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/National Institute of Mental Health (NINDS/NIMH) criteria:
- Meets United Kingdom brain bank criteria for PD
- Presence of at least one of the following symptoms
- False sense of presence
- Hallucinations
- The symptoms of Criterion b occur after the onset of PD.
- The symptoms of Criterion b are recurrent or continuous for 1 month.
- The symptoms of Criterion b are not better accounted for by another cause of Parkinsonism such as dementia with Lewy bodies, psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, or mood disorder with psychotic features, or a general medical condition including delirium.
- May have the following associated features:
- With/without insight
- With/without dementia
- With/without treatment for PD
- Patients must be experiencing symptom(s) of Criterion 3b at least once a week during the 4 weeks prior to the screening visit.
- Patients being treated for symptom(s) of Criterion 3b must be off medication for at least 2 weeks prior to randomization.
- Patients must be on a stable regimen of medication for PD for at least 4 weeks prior to randomization.
- Permitted medications:
- With potential pro-cognitive effects, such as cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, estrogen replacement therapy, must be at a stable dose for 1 month prior to screening and expected to remain stable throughout the study
- Antidepressants must be at a stable dose for 1 month prior to screening and expected to remain stable throughout the study.
- Antipsychotics must be must be at a stable dose for 1 month prior to screening and expected to remain stable throughout the study.
- Willing and able to undergo repeated MRI scans (3 Tesla) with no contraindications to MRI.
- Participant and partner must both be willing to use an effective contraception for duration of the study and for 4 days after it. For women, effective contraception may be hormonal; for men, a condom.
Exclusion criteria
- Subjects must not meet any of the following exclusion criteria at screening:
- Use of anticonvulsant medications within 1 month prior to the baseline visit.
- Participation in a therapeutic clinical study for any medical or psychiatric indications within 1 month of the screening visit, or at any time during the study. Subjects must understand that they may only enroll in this clinical study once; they may not enroll in any other clinical study while participating in the current study, and they may not participate in a clinical study of a drug, biologic, therapeutic device, or medical food, in which the last dose/administration was received within 1 month prior to screening.
- History of hypersensitivity or lack of tolerability to AGB101 (levetiracetam).
- Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance of \< 30 mL/minute) or undergoing hemodialysis.
- Delirium due to the presence of an acute metabolic encephalopathy secondary to infection or from any other cause as assessed by the investigator based on labs, history, and physical exam.
- Neurological disorder other than Parkinson's disease, such as Alzheimer's disease, multi-infarct dementia, Huntington's disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, brain tumor, progressive supranuclear palsy, seizure disorder (lifetime history; infant febrile seizures are not exclusionary), subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis, or history of significant head trauma followed by persistent neurologic deficits, or known structural brain abnormalities, that in the opinion of the investigator might interfere with the conduct of the study.
- Prior diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other psychotic disorder other than PD-related psychosis.
- Stereotactic surgery for deep brain stimulation (DBS), presence of pacemakers, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, ear implants, metal fragments, or foreign objects in the eyes, skin, or body that constitute a contraindication to having an MRI scan.
- History of alcohol or substance abuse or dependence within the past 3 years (DSM-5 criteria).
- Any significant systemic illness or unstable medical condition that could lead to difficulty in complying with the protocol requirements.
- Any unstable medical condition that is likely to require new medical or surgical treatment during the course of the study and where such treatments might affect the collection of efficacy data.
- Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent or to comply with study procedures.
- Patient or caregiver unable to administer daily oral dosing of study drug.
- Current suicidal ideation.
- Female subjects must not be pregnant or lactating.
- Any other reason, which in the opinion of the investigator would confound proper interpretation of the study.
Where
- Baltimore, Maryland
Collaborators
AgeneBio
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Oct 14, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations