A Randomised Controlled Trial of Neuroprotection With Lamotrigine in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00257855 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : November 23, 2005
Last Update Posted : February 8, 2010
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis | Drug: Lamotrigine | Phase 2 |
At present, there is no safe, widely applicable treatment that is capable of reducing the rate at which disability advances in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). There is good evidence that the primary cause of disability is axonal degeneration within the CNS, so there is considerable interest in developing treatments which can protect axons from degeneration. Experimental work by members of our group has established that axons may degenerate upon exposure to the inflammatory mediator nitric oxide. The mechanism of the damage implies that protection might be afforded by the novel approach of partially blocking sodium channels, and our group and others have recently demonstrated that drugs including flecainide, phenytoin and lamotrigine can reduce axonal degeneration when optic nerves or spinal roots are exposed to nitric oxide, and in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Aims: To assess whether the sodium channel blocker lamotrigine has a neuroprotective, disease modifying effect on a) the rate of axonal degeneration and b) the accumulation of disability in patients with SPMS.
Methodology: We propose to recruit 120 people with SPMS in whom progression rather than relapse is the major cause of increasing disability into a double blind parallel group controlled trial lasting two years in which random allocation would be made to receive treatment with either lamotrigine or placebo. We anticipate that patient recruitment, follow-up and trial management could be achieved readily across four proposed sites in London. The primary endpoint would be an effect of treatment on cerebral atrophy, which correlates with other MR markers of axonal loss, and which can be measured reliably and sensitively using recently developed MR techniques. The trial is powered to detect a 60% beneficial effect on the rate of development of cerebral atrophy. Secondary endpoints would include effects of treatment on spinal cord atrophy and on clinical measurements of impairment/disability. MR measures of brain volume and cervical spinal cord cross-sectional area and scores of clinical impairment/disability would be determined at entry, and then after 12 and 24 months. Brain volume would be measured additionally at 6 and 18 months. Clinical follow-up would occur every 3 months, and interim analysis is planned at 12 months.
Utilization of results: A phase 2 trial of sodium channel blockade in SPMS is timely, given recent advances arising from experimental and imaging work. A successful outcome would enable sufficiently powered phase 3 trials to be implemented, but perhaps more significantly would demonstrate a novel, safe neuroprotective strategy to reduce long-term disability in this disorder.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Enrollment : | 120 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Double |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | A Randomised Controlled Trial of Neuroprotection With Lamotrigine in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Single Centre, Phase 2 Trial |
Study Start Date : | November 2005 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | January 2009 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | February 2009 |

- Change in central brain volume on MRI using the 'Loseff method'
- Change in whole brain volume on MRI using Brain Boundary Shift Integral
- Number and volume of new T2 high intensity lesion volume on T2 weighted MRI
- Number and volume of new T1 low signal lesion volume on T1 weighted MRI
- Ratio of new T1 to new T2 lesions on MRI
- Change in magnetisation transfer ratio in normal MRI normal appearing white matter and normal appearing grey matter.
- Change in upper cervical cord cross sectional area using the 'Loseff method' on MRI
- Change in Kurtzke's Extended Disability Scaling Score.
- Change in Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite.
- Change in Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 60 Years (Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18 to 60
- Progression rather than clinical relapse is the major cause for increased disability over the preceding 2 years
- EDSS 4.0-6.5
Exclusion Criteria:
- Very rapid deterioration in EDSS, >2 points over 6 months
- Use of Mitoxantrone in the preceding year
- Use of sodium channel blockers or calcium channel blockers in the preceding 2 weeks
- Use of corticosteroids in preceding 2 months
- Use of neuroprotective agents or immunosuppressants in the preceding 6 months
- Evidence of significant hepatic or renal impairment either in clinical history or blood results.
- Prior untoward reactions to lamotrigine, or severe temperature dependent symptoms
- Contraindications to MRI

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00257855
United Kingdom | |
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery | |
London, United Kingdom, WC1 3BG |
Study Director: | Raju Kapoor, MD PhD | National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00257855 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
2005-001949-42 |
First Posted: | November 23, 2005 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | February 8, 2010 |
Last Verified: | February 2009 |
Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Neuroprotection Axonal loss Brain atrophy |
MRI Lamotrigine Sodium Channel Blockers |
Neoplasm Metastasis Multiple Sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive Sclerosis Pathologic Processes Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System Nervous System Diseases Demyelinating Diseases Autoimmune Diseases Immune System Diseases Neoplastic Processes Neoplasms |
Lamotrigine Anticonvulsants Calcium Channel Blockers Membrane Transport Modulators Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action Calcium-Regulating Hormones and Agents Physiological Effects of Drugs Antipsychotic Agents Tranquilizing Agents Central Nervous System Depressants Psychotropic Drugs Sodium Channel Blockers |