Trial of CORT108297 to Attenuate the Effects of Acute Stress in the Allocortex (CORT-X)
Eligible age
55+ yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
1 state
Healthy volunteers
Yes
See if you qualify for this study
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About this study
CORT-X will examine if mitigation of stress-mediated pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a feasible target for intervention in individuals at risk for this disease. This single-site (Baltimore, Maryland) phase II clinical trial is a 2-week, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study of the effects of the selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, CORT108297, on cognitive test performance in 26 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD and in 26 cognitively normal individuals with an increased risk for AD due to family history, genetics, and/or subjective memory complaints. All subjects will participate in a brief stressor (public speaking and mental arithmetic) and provide saliva samples so investigators can measure stress hormone response. Then, following 2 weeks of treatment with placebo or CORT108297, in counterbalanced order, participants will complete cognitive tests assessing memory and executive function. All study participants will receive CORT108297 and placebo over the course of this 10-week trial that requires 6 in-person study visits. The primary aims will compare the effects of CORT108297 to placebo on cognitive test performance in individuals with MCI due to AD and in individuals at risk for AD, and describe the side effects of CORT108297 in study participants. Secondary aims will identify subject characteristics that predict positive response to study drug.
Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University
You may qualify if…
- ✓ At least 55 years of age;
- ✓ Body mass index \>17 and \<30;
- ✓ Post-menopausal (if female)
- ✓ Non-smoker;
- ✓ Availability of a study partner who has frequent contact with the subject (10+ hours/week in person and by telephone), and is able to provide an independent evaluation of functioning;
- ✓ Fluent English speaker;
- ✓ Good general health with no disease expected to interfere with the study;
- ✓ Willing and able to participate for the duration of the study.
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ Participation in a therapeutic clinical trial at any time during the study;
- ✕ Abnormal corrected QT interval using Bazett's formula (QTcB; defined as \> 450 ms for men and \> 470 ms for women) as determined on ECG;
- ✕ Any significant neurologic disease other than suspected incipient Alzheimer's disease, such as Parkinson's disease, multi-infarct dementia, Huntington's disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, brain tumor, progressive supranuclear palsy, seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis, or history of significant head trauma followed by persistent neurologic deficits or known structural brain abnormalities, including lacunes in critical memory structures including the hippocampus and parahippocampal cortex;
- ✕ Bipolar disorder within the past 1 year;
- ✕ History of alcohol or drug dependence;
- ✕ Any significant systemic illness or unstable medical condition, which could lead to difficulty complying with the protocol;
- ✕ General surgery within the last 3 months;
- ✕ Sensory impairment (poor vision or hearing) significant enough to interfere with ability to provide valid cognitive test data;
Where it's recruiting
Baltimore
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT04601038 · last updated 2026-07-13