NCT06996652 · Yale University
An Exploratory Study of the Potential for Rational Immune System Manipulation to Prevent Emergence of Synucleinopathy Manifestations in Persons With REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD)
(PRISMS)
What this study is about
This is a phase 2 study to assess the ability of adalimumab as compared to placebo to reduce or prevent progression of synuclein-related neurodegeneration in persons with idiopathic REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD).
View original scientific description
This is a phase 2 study to assess the ability of adalimumab as compared to placebo to reduce or prevent progression of synuclein-related neurodegeneration in persons with idiopathic REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD). The Primary Endpoint will be change from baseline in expression of the Parkinson Disease Related Pattern (PDRP) will be assessed using change in 18-flurodeoxyglucose (FDG) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging.
Interventions
DRUG
Adalimumab
40 mg self-administered subcutaneously using a pre-filled syringe (PFS) every 2 weeks for up to 2 years
DRUG
Placebo
40 mg matching placebo self-administered subcutaneously using a pre-filled syringe (PFS) every 2 weeks for up to 2 years
Primary outcome measures
Change in Parkinson Disease Related Pattern (PDRP) expression
Time frame: Baseline and Week 96
Change from Baseline to Week 96in the expression of the Parkinson Disease Related Pattern (PDRP) assessed by 18-flurodeoxyglucose (FDG) Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
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
- Males, or females who are either
- post-menopausal or otherwise not of child-bearing potential, defined as either 1) having had no menses for 12 or months without an alternative medical cause or explanation or 2) having undergone a surgical procedure (hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation) that prevents conception, or
- practicing adequate contraception. Female participants of childbearing potential must practice at least 1 protocol-specified method of birth control, that is effective from 30 days before baseline (or earlier) through at least 150 days after the last dose of the study drug. Female participants of non-childbearing potential do not need to use birth control.
- Diagnosis of idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder Diagnosis of idiopathic REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) based upon:
- History of Dream Enactment Behavior during sleep and
- Evidence of REM sleep without muscle atonia based upon polysomnogram obtained in a qualified sleep laboratory, consistent with ICSD-3 Diagnostic Criteria for RBD
- Hyposmia, defined as score \< 15th percentile for age-and gender-specific normal values
- Not diagnosed with motor parkinsonism or Lewy body dementia
- Have a MoCA score at screening and baseline \>23
- Able to speak, read and write fluently in the official language of the site's geographical region
- Participant must be willing and able to attend all study visits as required by the study protocol
- Participant must have a study partner who is in regular contact with the subject and can accompany the subject to clinic visits and report on subject's functional status
- Participant must be able to self-inject study drug regularly or have a study partner who is available, willing and able to do so
- Participant must be able to understand the study requirements and provide written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
- Alternative explanation or etiology for the presence of RBD (e.g. narcolepsy)
- Other than RBD, neurologic or medical disorder which may impair cognition including: head trauma, seizure disorder, neurodegenerative disease, hydrocephalus, cerebral/spinal hematoma, inflammatory disease, CNS infection (e.g., encephalitis or meningitis), neoplasm, toxic exposure, metabolic disorder (including hypoxic or hypoglycemic episodes), or endocrine disorder, or any significant medical conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, would prohibit their participation in the study.
- As assessed by the central reader, MRI evidence of (a) more than three lacunar infarcts, (b) territorial infarct or macroscopic hemorrhage, or (c) deep white matter lesions corresponding to a Fazekas score of 3
- Any contra-indication to undergo MRI, as judged by local PI or radiologist, including but not limited to presence of pacemaker, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, ear implants, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, foreign metal objects in the eyes, skin or body or any other circumstance which would contra-indicate an MRI scan or impair MRI image quality, or history of claustrophobia or of not tolerating MRI scanning procedures
- History or active presence of any of the following neurological, psychiatric or medical conditions:
- Large vessel stroke
- Peripheral or CNS demyelinating disease
- Chronic and/or recurrent fungal, bacterial or opportunistic infections
- Myocardial infarction or unstable angina within the previous 12 months
- Clinically relevant or significant ECG abnormalities, including ECG with QT interval corrected for heart rate using Fridericia's formula (QT interval corrected for heart rate using Fridericia's formula) \> 450 msec (males) or \> 470 msec (females).
- Congestive heart failure, NYHA Class 3 or 4
- Autoimmune disease (e.g., Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE), or symptoms suggestive of a lupus-like syndrome, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, etc.)
- Immunocompromised systemically due to continuing effects of immune suppressing medication
- Current or previous hepatitis B infection (defined as positive test for hepatitis B surface antigen (HbSAg) and/or hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc). Participants with immunity to hepatitis B (if due to natural infection defined as negative HBsAg, positive hepatitis B antibody (anti-HBs) and positive anti-HBc; if due to vaccination defined as negative HBsAg, negative anti-HBc and positive anti-HBs are eligible to participate in the study For patients with resolved HBV infection, if anti-HBc negative, HBV DNA testing is needed prior to initiating study drug
- History or positive test at Screening for hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) in the absence of treatment resulting in cure
- History or positive test at Screening for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- History of untreated or incompletely treated tuberculosis or a positive tuberculosis IGRA test.
- History of malignancy other than successfully treated, non-metastatic cutaneous squamous or basal cell carcinoma or localized carcinoma in situ of the cervix
- Major depressive episode requiring initiation of medication or hospitalization within the previous 90 days
- Seated blood pressure \> 150/90 on 3 separate determinations
- Presence of hallucinations or delusions
- Psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, etc.) associated with psychosis
- Active infection(s) requiring treatment with intravenous anti-infectives within 30 days, or oral/intramuscular anti-infectives within 14 days prior to baseline
- Major surgery within 12 weeks of screening
- Blood donation of 1 unit or more within 8 weeks prior to the first dose of study medication
- Any of the following laboratory abnormalities at Screening
- Screening values for hemoglobin \< 12 g/d for men or \< 11 g/dL for women or other clinically significant hematological abnormality
- Any serum chemistry value (e.g., AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, CK, total bilirubin etc. \> 2x the upper limit of normal on 2 successive determinations less than 2 weeks apart
- Serum creatinine above the ULN or eGFR \< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2
- Platelet count, INR, PT or PTT not within the normal range or other risk for increased or uncontrolled bleeding
- Any other significant medical conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, would prohibit participation in the study, including inability to tolerate the MRI scan
- For participants agreeing to lumbar puncture: Presence of contra-indication to lumbar puncture as judged by local PI (e.g., known X-ray or other evidence of significant lumbar spine abnormalities or history of lumbar surgery with sequalae that would interfere with or pose risks from the procedure; platelet count below 50,000 cells/mL; need for anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications other than aspirin at a dose of \< 100 mg/day or clopidogrel (see item 10 (g) below))
- Taking any of the following medications:
- Symptomatic anti-Parkinson agents, including but not limited to levodopa-containing preparations, dopamine agonists, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, amantadine, and adenosine receptor antagonists taken any time prior to the screening visit
- Cognitive enhancing agents, including but not limited to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine taken any time prior to the screening visit
- Stimulant medications, including but not limited to lisdexamphetamine, dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall) and methylphenidate taken at any time prior to the screening visit
- Antipsychotic agents, including pimavanserin
- Antidepressant medications whose dose has not been stable for at least 90 days
- Use of any of the following medications within 12 months prior to Screening: Immunosuppressant medications, including chronic corticosteroids, anakinra and abatacept
- Any previous use of injected or infused antibody therapies, including but not limited antibodies directed against TNF, anti-IL-6, natalizumab, rituximab, conventional or targeted DMARD agents
- For participants agreeing to undergo lumbar puncture: Anticoagulant or anti-platelet medications including warfarin, heparinoids and direct coagulation factor inhibitors (e.g., apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban) within 90 days of the planned first dose of study drug; either aspirin at a dose of \<¬ 100 mg/day or clopidogrel at a dose of 75 mg/day, but use of both in combination is permitted.
- Received any live vaccine, with the exception of non-replicating live viral vaccines such as Jynneos vaccine, within 30 days prior to the first dose of study drug, or expected need of live vaccination during study participation including at least 70 days after the last dose of study drug.
- History of an allergic reaction or significant sensitivity to adalimumab or constituents of the study drug (and its excipients) and/or other products in the same class
- Participation in any other interventional clinical trial, or treatment with any investigational drug or investigational use of an approved therapy within 30 days (or 5 half-lives of such agent) prior to the first Screening visit.
- History of drug or alcohol abuse within the last 5 years (including cannabis use disorder)
- Positive urine drug test at screening
- Unwillingness or inability to comply with study requirements, including self-administration of study medication, or history of noncompliance in prior clinical trials
Where
- Los Angeles, California
- Aurora, Colorado
- North Haven, Connecticut
- Boca Raton, Florida
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- St Louis, Missouri
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Lebanon, New Hampshire
And 6 more locations — see the full list below.
Collaborators
The Marcus Foundation, National Institute on Aging (NIA)
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 Jul 23, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations