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Evaluation of the Efficacy of Varenicline on Cognition, Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics in Subjects With Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer's Disease

A Phase 2 Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial of Varenicline Tartrate (CP-526,555) in Patients With Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00744978
Enrollment
66
Registered
2008-09-01
Start date
2009-07-31
Completion date
2010-11-30
Last updated
2011-11-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Alzheimer's Disease

Keywords

Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacokinetics, Alzheimer's disease

Brief summary

1. Assess the efficacy of varenicline, relative to placebo, on a performance based measure of cognition in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease 2. Evaluate the effects of varenicline on clinically relevant measures including attention and executive function, behavior, and clinician rated global change. 3. Evaluate the safety and tolerability of varenicline, relative to placebo, in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease 4. Evaluate the pharmacokinetics of varenicline in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

Interventions

DRUGVarenicline

0.5 mg once daily for 1 week followed by 0.5 mg twice daily for 1 week followed by 1 mg twice daily for 4 weeks

DRUGPlacebo

Placebo once daily for 1 week followed by placebo twice daily for 5 weeks.

Sponsors

Pfizer
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
55 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Males or females, age 55-85 * Diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease, consistent with criteria from both: 1) National Institute of Neurological and Communicable Disease and Stroke and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDA) and 2) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) * Mini-mental status exam score of 14-26 inclusive * Rosen-Modified Hachinski Ischemia Score of \< or = 4

Exclusion criteria

* Diagnosis or history of other dementia or neurodegenerative disorders * Diagnosis or history of clinically significant cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease * Subjects with pulmonary disease or evidence of clinically significant pulmonary symptoms

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 75 (ADAS-Cog 75) at Week 6Week 612-item scale to assess severity of cognitive impairment in AD. Items include word recall, naming objects and fingers, following commands, constructional praxis, ideational praxis, orientation, word recognition, spoken language ability, comprehension of spoken language, word finding difficulty in spontaneous speech, remembering test instructions, and concentration/distractibility. Total score range from 0-75 with 75 indicating worse cognition.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 70 (ADAS-Cog 70) at Week 3Week 311-item scale designed to assess the severity of cognitive impairments in AD subjects. Items include word recall, naming objects and fingers, following commands, constructional praxis, ideational praxis, orientation, word recognition, spoken language ability, comprehension of spoken language, word finding difficulty in spontaneous speech, and remembering test instructions. Total score range from 0-70 with 70 indicating worse cognition.
Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 70 (ADAS-Cog 70) at Week 6Week 611-item scale designed to assess the severity of cognitive impairments in AD subjects. Items include word recall, naming objects and fingers, following commands, constructional praxis, ideational praxis, orientation, word recognition, spoken language ability, comprehension of spoken language, word finding difficulty in spontaneous speech, and remembering test instructions. Total score range from 0-70 with 70 indicating worse cognition.
Mean Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I) Score at Week 6Week 6CGI-I: 7-point clinician rated scale ranging from 1 (very much improved) to 7 (very much worse). Improvement is defined as a score of 1 (very much improved), 2 (much improved), or 3 (minimally improved) on the scale. Higher score = more affected.
Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Total Score at Week 3Week 3Caregiver interview-based rating scale assessing 12 behavioral disturbances occurring in dementia: delusions, hallucinations, agitation/aggression, depression/dysphoria, anxiety, elation/euphoria, apathy/indifference, disinhibition, irritability/lability, aberrant motor behavior, appetite/eating, and sleep. Each symptom score derived by frequency of symptoms \* severity of symptoms (range 0-12). Total score = sum of symptom scores; range: 0-144 with higher score indicating greater behavioral disturbances.
Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Total Score at Week 6Week 6Caregiver interview-based rating scale assessing 12 behavioral disturbances occurring in dementia: delusions, hallucinations, agitation/aggression, depression/dysphoria, anxiety, elation/euphoria, apathy/indifference, disinhibition, irritability/lability, aberrant motor behavior, appetite/eating, and sleep. Each symptom score derived by frequency of symptoms \* severity of symptoms (range 0-12). Total score = sum of symptom scores; range: 0-144 with higher score indicating greater behavioral disturbances.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Detection at Week 1Week 1Assessment of the cognitive domain psychomotor function through yes or no responses within 5 minutes to 30 trials; score range: 0 to 3.69. Performance variable: speed of performance; average of the log10 t transformed reaction time for correct responses. Reaction times longer than 5 seconds (log10 \[5000\]) were excluded as reflecting responses that were abnormally slow.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Detection at Week 3Week 3Assessment of the cognitive domain psychomotor function through yes or no responses within 5 minutes to 30 trials; score range: 0 to 3.69. Performance variable: speed of performance; average of the log10 t transformed reaction time for correct responses. Reaction times longer than 5 seconds (log10 \[5000\]) were excluded as reflecting responses that were abnormally slow.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Detection at Week 6Week 6Assessment of the cognitive domain psychomotor function through yes or no responses within 5 minutes to 30 trials; score range: 0 to 3.69. Performance variable: speed of performance; average of the log10 t transformed reaction time for correct responses. Reaction times longer than 5 seconds (log10 \[5000\]) were excluded as reflecting responses that were abnormally slow.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Continuous Paired Associate Learning (CPAL) at Week 1Week 1Assessment of the cognitive domain visual episodic memory (associate learning) through responses within 7 minutes to 4 targets x 4 rounds (mild AD) or 3 targets x 4 rounds (moderate AD); score range: 35 to 100. Performance variable: number of errors made in correctly placing each of the 4 patterns in their location four times.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Continuous Paired Associate Learning (CPAL) at Week 3Week 3Assessment of the cognitive domain visual episodic memory (associate learning) through responses within 7 minutes to 4 targets x 4 rounds (mild AD) or 3 targets x 4 rounds (moderate AD); score range: 35 to 100. Performance variable: number of errors made in correctly placing each of the 4 patterns in their location four times.
Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 75 (ADAS-Cog 75) at Week 3Week 312-item scale to assess severity of cognitive impairment in AD. Items include word recall, naming objects and fingers, following commands, constructional praxis, ideational praxis, orientation, word recognition, spoken language ability, comprehension of spoken language, word finding difficulty in spontaneous speech, remembering test instructions, and concentration/distractibility. Total score range from 0-75 with 75 indicating worse cognition.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: One Back Working Memory at Week 1Week 1Assessment of the cognitive domain working memory through yes or no responses to 30 trials within 5 minutes; score range: 0 to 1.57. Performance variable: accuracy of performance; arcsine transformation of proportion correct responses.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: One Back Working Memory at Week 3Week 3Assessment of the cognitive domain working memory through yes or no responses to 30 trials within 5 minutes; score range: 0 to 1.57. Performance variable: accuracy of performance; arcsine transformation of proportion correct responses.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: One Back Working Memory at Week 6Week 6Assessment of the cognitive domain working memory through yes or no responses to 30 trials within 5 minutes; score range: 0 to 1.57. Performance variable: accuracy of performance; arcsine transformation of proportion correct responses.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Visual Learning at Week 1Week 1Assessment of the cognitive domain episodic memory through yes or no responses within 5 minutes to 4 targets repeated among 6 distractors on 4 rounds (mild Alzheimer's disease \[AD\], or 3 targets repeated among 4 distractors on 4 rounds (moderate AD) ; score range: 0 to 1.57. Performance variable: accuracy of performance; arcsine transformation of proportion correct responses.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Visual Learning at Week 3Week 3Assessment of the cognitive domain episodic memory through yes or no responses within 5 minutes to 4 targets repeated among 6 distractors on 4 rounds (mild Alzheimer's disease \[AD\], or 3 targets repeated among 4 distractors on 4 rounds (moderate AD) ; score range: 0 to 1.57. Performance variable: accuracy of performance; arcsine transformation of proportion correct responses.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Visual Learning at Week 6Week 6Assessment of the cognitive domain episodic memory through yes or no responses within 5 minutes to 4 targets repeated among 6 distractors on 4 rounds (mild Alzheimer's disease \[AD\], or 3 targets repeated among 4 distractors on 4 rounds (moderate AD) ; score range: 0 to 1.57. Performance variable: accuracy of performance; arcsine transformation of proportion correct responses.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Identification at Week 1Week 1Assessment of the cognitive domain visual attention through a yes or no response to 30 trials within 5 minutes; score range: 0 to 3.69. Performance variable: speed of performance; average log10 transformed reaction time for correct responses. Reaction times longer than 5 seconds ( log10 \[5000\]) were excluded as reflecting responses that were abnormally slow.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Identification at Week 3Week 3Assessment of the cognitive domain visual attention through a yes or no response to 30 trials within 5 minutes; score range: 0 to 3.69. Performance variable: speed of performance; average log10 transformed reaction time for correct responses. Reaction times longer than 5 seconds ( log10 \[5000\]) were excluded as reflecting responses that were abnormally slow.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Identification at Week 6Week 6Assessment of the cognitive domain visual attention through a yes or no response to 30 trials within 5 minutes; score range: 0 to 3.69. Performance variable: speed of performance; average log10 transformed reaction time for correct responses. Reaction times longer than 5 seconds ( log10 \[5000\]) were excluded as reflecting responses that were abnormally slow.
Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Continuous Paired Associate Learning (CPAL) at Week 6Week 6Assessment of the cognitive domain visual episodic memory (associate learning) through responses within 7 minutes to 4 targets x 4 rounds (mild AD) or 3 targets x 4 rounds (moderate AD); score range: 35 to 100. Performance variable: number of errors made in correctly placing each of the 4 patterns in their location four times.

Countries

South Korea

Participant flow

Pre-assignment details

Each participant was to complete a 3-week placebo run-in period then receive a treatment sequence of either varenicline followed by placebo, or placebo followed by varenicline, separated by a 3-week placebo washout period. Of 92 participants screened, 66 participants were randomized to treatment.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Varenicline Then Placebo
Varenicline 0.5 mg once daily for 1 week followed by 0.5 mg twice daily (BID) for 1 week followed by 1 mg BID for 4 weeks; then placebo once daily for 1 week followed by placebo BID for 5 weeks.
32
Placebo Then Varenicline
Placebo twice a day (BID) initiated with a 2-week titration regimen (Week 1: once a day \[QD\]; Week 2: BID), followed by varenicline 1 mg BID initiated with a 2-week titration regimen (Week 1: 0.5 mg QD; Week 2: 0.5 mg BID).
34
Total66

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Period 1Adverse Event40
Period 1Lost to Follow-up10
Period 1Other02
Period 1Randomized but not Treated11
Period 1Withdrawal by Subject02
Period 2Adverse Event01

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicVarenicline Then PlaceboPlacebo Then VareniclineTotal
Age Continuous71.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.7
73.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.8
72.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.4
Sex: Female, Male
Female
21 Participants21 Participants42 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
11 Participants13 Participants24 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
56 / 6037 / 59
serious
Total, serious adverse events
2 / 600 / 59

Outcome results

Primary

Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 75 (ADAS-Cog 75) at Week 6

12-item scale to assess severity of cognitive impairment in AD. Items include word recall, naming objects and fingers, following commands, constructional praxis, ideational praxis, orientation, word recognition, spoken language ability, comprehension of spoken language, word finding difficulty in spontaneous speech, remembering test instructions, and concentration/distractibility. Total score range from 0-75 with 75 indicating worse cognition.

Time frame: Week 6

Population: Full analysis set (FAS): all participants who were randomized and took at least 1 dose of randomized study medication. N = number of participants with ADAS-Cog 75 results at Week 6.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineAlzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 75 (ADAS-Cog 75) at Week 618.07 units on scaleStandard Error 0.942
PlaceboAlzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 75 (ADAS-Cog 75) at Week 618.49 units on scaleStandard Error 0.939
Comparison: Difference from placebo. Analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.387395% CI: [-1.37, 0.53]ANCOVA
Secondary

Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 70 (ADAS-Cog 70) at Week 3

11-item scale designed to assess the severity of cognitive impairments in AD subjects. Items include word recall, naming objects and fingers, following commands, constructional praxis, ideational praxis, orientation, word recognition, spoken language ability, comprehension of spoken language, word finding difficulty in spontaneous speech, and remembering test instructions. Total score range from 0-70 with 70 indicating worse cognition.

Time frame: Week 3

Population: FAS. N = number of participants with ADAS-Cog 70 results at Week 3.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineAlzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 70 (ADAS-Cog 70) at Week 319.60 units on scaleStandard Error 0.88
PlaceboAlzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 70 (ADAS-Cog 70) at Week 319.01 units on scaleStandard Error 0.885
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.209295% CI: [-0.33, 1.5]ANCOVA
Secondary

Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 70 (ADAS-Cog 70) at Week 6

11-item scale designed to assess the severity of cognitive impairments in AD subjects. Items include word recall, naming objects and fingers, following commands, constructional praxis, ideational praxis, orientation, word recognition, spoken language ability, comprehension of spoken language, word finding difficulty in spontaneous speech, and remembering test instructions. Total score range from 0-70 with 70 indicating worse cognition.

Time frame: Week 6

Population: FAS. N = number of participants with ADAS-Cog 70 results at Week 6.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineAlzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 70 (ADAS-Cog 70) at Week 617.86 units on scaleStandard Error 0.886
PlaceboAlzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 70 (ADAS-Cog 70) at Week 618.23 units on scaleStandard Error 0.884
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.433995% CI: [-1.3, 0.56]ANCOVA
Secondary

Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 75 (ADAS-Cog 75) at Week 3

12-item scale to assess severity of cognitive impairment in AD. Items include word recall, naming objects and fingers, following commands, constructional praxis, ideational praxis, orientation, word recognition, spoken language ability, comprehension of spoken language, word finding difficulty in spontaneous speech, remembering test instructions, and concentration/distractibility. Total score range from 0-75 with 75 indicating worse cognition.

Time frame: Week 3

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with ADAS-Cog 75 results at Week 3.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineAlzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 75 (ADAS-Cog 75) at Week 319.87 units on scaleStandard Error 0.935
PlaceboAlzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 75 (ADAS-Cog 75) at Week 319.31 units on scaleStandard Error 0.941
Comparison: Difference from placebo. Analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.246595% CI: [-0.39, 1.49]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Continuous Paired Associate Learning (CPAL) at Week 1

Assessment of the cognitive domain visual episodic memory (associate learning) through responses within 7 minutes to 4 targets x 4 rounds (mild AD) or 3 targets x 4 rounds (moderate AD); score range: 35 to 100. Performance variable: number of errors made in correctly placing each of the 4 patterns in their location four times.

Time frame: Week 1

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for Continuous Paired Associate Learning at Week 1.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Continuous Paired Associate Learning (CPAL) at Week 138.52 errorsStandard Error 2.586
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Continuous Paired Associate Learning (CPAL) at Week 140.05 errorsStandard Error 2.626
Comparison: Week 1: difference from placebo. Analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.558895% CI: [-6.68, 3.62]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Continuous Paired Associate Learning (CPAL) at Week 3

Assessment of the cognitive domain visual episodic memory (associate learning) through responses within 7 minutes to 4 targets x 4 rounds (mild AD) or 3 targets x 4 rounds (moderate AD); score range: 35 to 100. Performance variable: number of errors made in correctly placing each of the 4 patterns in their location four times.

Time frame: Week 3

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for Continuous Paired Associate Learning at Week 3.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Continuous Paired Associate Learning (CPAL) at Week 339.43 errorsStandard Error 2.6
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Continuous Paired Associate Learning (CPAL) at Week 343.57 errorsStandard Error 2.656
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.117395% CI: [-9.34, 1.05]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Continuous Paired Associate Learning (CPAL) at Week 6

Assessment of the cognitive domain visual episodic memory (associate learning) through responses within 7 minutes to 4 targets x 4 rounds (mild AD) or 3 targets x 4 rounds (moderate AD); score range: 35 to 100. Performance variable: number of errors made in correctly placing each of the 4 patterns in their location four times.

Time frame: Week 6

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for Continuous Paired Associate Learning at Week 6.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Continuous Paired Associate Learning (CPAL) at Week 641.67 errorsStandard Error 2.668
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Continuous Paired Associate Learning (CPAL) at Week 642.98 errorsStandard Error 2.641
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.625195% CI: [-6.58, 3.96]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Detection at Week 1

Assessment of the cognitive domain psychomotor function through yes or no responses within 5 minutes to 30 trials; score range: 0 to 3.69. Performance variable: speed of performance; average of the log10 t transformed reaction time for correct responses. Reaction times longer than 5 seconds (log10 \[5000\]) were excluded as reflecting responses that were abnormally slow.

Time frame: Week 1

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for Detection at Week 1.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Detection at Week 12.65 log10 millisecondStandard Error 0.015
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Detection at Week 12.64 log10 millisecondStandard Error 0.015
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.881195% CI: [-0.02, 0.03]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Detection at Week 3

Assessment of the cognitive domain psychomotor function through yes or no responses within 5 minutes to 30 trials; score range: 0 to 3.69. Performance variable: speed of performance; average of the log10 t transformed reaction time for correct responses. Reaction times longer than 5 seconds (log10 \[5000\]) were excluded as reflecting responses that were abnormally slow.

Time frame: Week 3

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for Detection at Week 3.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Detection at Week 32.65 log10 millisecondStandard Error 0.015
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Detection at Week 32.63 log10 millisecondStandard Error 0.015
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.08395% CI: [0, 0.05]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Detection at Week 6

Assessment of the cognitive domain psychomotor function through yes or no responses within 5 minutes to 30 trials; score range: 0 to 3.69. Performance variable: speed of performance; average of the log10 t transformed reaction time for correct responses. Reaction times longer than 5 seconds (log10 \[5000\]) were excluded as reflecting responses that were abnormally slow.

Time frame: Week 6

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for Detection at Week 6.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Detection at Week 62.64 log10 millisecondStandard Error 0.015
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Detection at Week 62.65 log10 millisecondStandard Error 0.015
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.722695% CI: [-0.03, 0.02]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Identification at Week 1

Assessment of the cognitive domain visual attention through a yes or no response to 30 trials within 5 minutes; score range: 0 to 3.69. Performance variable: speed of performance; average log10 transformed reaction time for correct responses. Reaction times longer than 5 seconds ( log10 \[5000\]) were excluded as reflecting responses that were abnormally slow.

Time frame: Week 1

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for Identification at Week 1.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Identification at Week 12.79 log10 millisecondStandard Error 0.011
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Identification at Week 12.80 log10 millisecondStandard Error 0.011
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.224595% CI: [-0.03, 0.01]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Identification at Week 3

Assessment of the cognitive domain visual attention through a yes or no response to 30 trials within 5 minutes; score range: 0 to 3.69. Performance variable: speed of performance; average log10 transformed reaction time for correct responses. Reaction times longer than 5 seconds ( log10 \[5000\]) were excluded as reflecting responses that were abnormally slow.

Time frame: Week 3

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for Identification at Week 3.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Identification at Week 32.79 log10 millisecondStandard Error 0.011
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Identification at Week 32.80 log10 millisecondStandard Error 0.011
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.497495% CI: [-0.03, 0.01]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Identification at Week 6

Assessment of the cognitive domain visual attention through a yes or no response to 30 trials within 5 minutes; score range: 0 to 3.69. Performance variable: speed of performance; average log10 transformed reaction time for correct responses. Reaction times longer than 5 seconds ( log10 \[5000\]) were excluded as reflecting responses that were abnormally slow.

Time frame: Week 6

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for Identification at Week 6.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Identification at Week 62.79 log10 millisecondStandard Error 0.012
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Identification at Week 62.79 log10 millisecondStandard Error 0.011
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.852595% CI: [-0.02, 0.02]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: One Back Working Memory at Week 1

Assessment of the cognitive domain working memory through yes or no responses to 30 trials within 5 minutes; score range: 0 to 1.57. Performance variable: accuracy of performance; arcsine transformation of proportion correct responses.

Time frame: Week 1

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for One Back Working Memory at Week 1.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: One Back Working Memory at Week 10.94 arcsine proportion correctStandard Error 0.031
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: One Back Working Memory at Week 10.94 arcsine proportion correctStandard Error 0.031
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.910995% CI: [-0.05, 0.05]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: One Back Working Memory at Week 3

Assessment of the cognitive domain working memory through yes or no responses to 30 trials within 5 minutes; score range: 0 to 1.57. Performance variable: accuracy of performance; arcsine transformation of proportion correct responses.

Time frame: Week 3

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for One Back Working Memory at Week 3.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: One Back Working Memory at Week 30.96 arcsine proportion correctStandard Error 0.031
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: One Back Working Memory at Week 30.97 arcsine proportion correctStandard Error 0.032
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.663295% CI: [-0.06, 0.04]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: One Back Working Memory at Week 6

Assessment of the cognitive domain working memory through yes or no responses to 30 trials within 5 minutes; score range: 0 to 1.57. Performance variable: accuracy of performance; arcsine transformation of proportion correct responses.

Time frame: Week 6

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for One Back Working Memory at Week 6.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: One Back Working Memory at Week 60.95 arcsine proportion correctStandard Error 0.032
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: One Back Working Memory at Week 60.96 arcsine proportion correctStandard Error 0.031
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.54595% CI: [-0.07, 0.04]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Visual Learning at Week 1

Assessment of the cognitive domain episodic memory through yes or no responses within 5 minutes to 4 targets repeated among 6 distractors on 4 rounds (mild Alzheimer's disease \[AD\], or 3 targets repeated among 4 distractors on 4 rounds (moderate AD) ; score range: 0 to 1.57. Performance variable: accuracy of performance; arcsine transformation of proportion correct responses.

Time frame: Week 1

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for Visual Learning at Week 1.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Visual Learning at Week 10.83 arcsine proportion correctStandard Error 0.015
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Visual Learning at Week 10.81 arcsine proportion correctStandard Error 0.016
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.279995% CI: [-0.02, 0.05]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Visual Learning at Week 3

Assessment of the cognitive domain episodic memory through yes or no responses within 5 minutes to 4 targets repeated among 6 distractors on 4 rounds (mild Alzheimer's disease \[AD\], or 3 targets repeated among 4 distractors on 4 rounds (moderate AD) ; score range: 0 to 1.57. Performance variable: accuracy of performance; arcsine transformation of proportion correct responses.

Time frame: Week 3

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for Visual Learning at Week 3.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Visual Learning at Week 30.82 arcsine proportion correctStandard Error 0.016
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Visual Learning at Week 30.82 arcsine proportion correctStandard Error 0.016
Comparison: Difference from placebo aAnalyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.967595% CI: [-0.03, 0.04]ANCOVA
Secondary

Computerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Visual Learning at Week 6

Assessment of the cognitive domain episodic memory through yes or no responses within 5 minutes to 4 targets repeated among 6 distractors on 4 rounds (mild Alzheimer's disease \[AD\], or 3 targets repeated among 4 distractors on 4 rounds (moderate AD) ; score range: 0 to 1.57. Performance variable: accuracy of performance; arcsine transformation of proportion correct responses.

Time frame: Week 6

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CogState score for Visual Learning at Week 6.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Visual Learning at Week 60.83 arcsine proportion correctStandard Error 0.016
PlaceboComputerized Test Battery for Cognition (CogState) Tasks: Visual Learning at Week 60.84 arcsine proportion correctStandard Error 0.016
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.500895% CI: [-0.05, 0.02]ANCOVA
Secondary

Mean Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I) Score at Week 6

CGI-I: 7-point clinician rated scale ranging from 1 (very much improved) to 7 (very much worse). Improvement is defined as a score of 1 (very much improved), 2 (much improved), or 3 (minimally improved) on the scale. Higher score = more affected.

Time frame: Week 6

Population: FAS; N = number of participants with a CGI-I score at Week 6.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineMean Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I) Score at Week 63.71 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.103
PlaceboMean Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I) Score at Week 63.70 units on a scaleStandard Error 0.102
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect, and stratum, site, period, sequence, and treatment as fixed effects.p-value: 0.974595% CI: [-0.26, 0.27]ANCOVA
Secondary

Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Total Score at Week 3

Caregiver interview-based rating scale assessing 12 behavioral disturbances occurring in dementia: delusions, hallucinations, agitation/aggression, depression/dysphoria, anxiety, elation/euphoria, apathy/indifference, disinhibition, irritability/lability, aberrant motor behavior, appetite/eating, and sleep. Each symptom score derived by frequency of symptoms \* severity of symptoms (range 0-12). Total score = sum of symptom scores; range: 0-144 with higher score indicating greater behavioral disturbances.

Time frame: Week 3

Population: FAS. N = number of participants with a NPI total score at Week 3.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineNeuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Total Score at Week 32.97 scores on scaleStandard Error 0.845
PlaceboNeuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Total Score at Week 32.29 scores on scaleStandard Error 0.858
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.285295% CI: [-0.57, 1.92]ANCOVA
Secondary

Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Total Score at Week 6

Caregiver interview-based rating scale assessing 12 behavioral disturbances occurring in dementia: delusions, hallucinations, agitation/aggression, depression/dysphoria, anxiety, elation/euphoria, apathy/indifference, disinhibition, irritability/lability, aberrant motor behavior, appetite/eating, and sleep. Each symptom score derived by frequency of symptoms \* severity of symptoms (range 0-12). Total score = sum of symptom scores; range: 0-144 with higher score indicating greater behavioral disturbances.

Time frame: Week 6

Population: FAS. N = number of participants with a NPI total score at Week 6.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
VareniclineNeuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Total Score at Week 63.82 scores on scaleStandard Error 0.857
PlaceboNeuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Total Score at Week 62.55 scores on scaleStandard Error 0.855
Comparison: Difference from placebo analyzed using a mixed effects longitudinal linear model with subject (nested within sequence) as a random effect and fixed effects stratum, site, period, sequence, treatment, week, and treatment by week.p-value: 0.046895% CI: [0.02, 2.53]ANCOVA

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026