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Neurocognitive Function Changes With Extended-Release Tacrolimus Among Older Kidney Transplant Recipients

Neurocognitive Function Changes With Once-Daily Extended-Release Tacrolimus (Envarsus XR) Conversion Compared to Twice-Daily Immediate Release Tacrolimus Maintenance Among Older Kidney Transplant Recipients

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06751992
Acronym
Neuro-KTR
Enrollment
92
Registered
2024-12-30
Start date
2026-03-17
Completion date
2027-10-01
Last updated
2026-05-28

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

Conditions

Kidney Transplant Recipients, Old Age

Keywords

Neurocognitive function, Tacrolimus, Kidney transplant recipients, Tremor, Insomnia

Brief summary

The objective of this randomized controlled study is to assess the neurocognitive outcomes between individuals using immediate-release (IR) tacrolimus (Prograf®) and those who were converted to extended-release tacrolimus (Envarsus XR) among older kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

Interventions

DRUGConversion to extended-release tacrolimus

Conversion from immediate-release tacrolimus (Prograf) to extended-release tacrolimus (Envarsus XR) as a part of the maintenance immunosuppressive treatment

DRUGMaintenance of immediate-release tacrolimus

Continuing immediate-release tacrolimus (Prograf) as a part of the maintenance immunosuppressive treatment

Sponsors

Massachusetts General Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER
Veloxis Pharmaceuticals
CollaboratorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

A prospective, open-label, single-center, randomized controlled phase 4 trial

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Able to give informed consent for participation in the study * Patients who have regular outpatient follow-up at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) transplant center * ≥1 year since the latest kidney transplantation * On IR tacrolimus as maintenance therapy * At a stable therapeutic tacrolimus level (5-10 ng/ml) over the last ≥3 months * Stable kidney function \[\<20% variability between the last two estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)\] * Utilizing English or Spanish as the primary language

Exclusion criteria

* Dual organ transplantation * Rejection within the last three months * History of moderate to severe dementia (defined by Dementia Severity Rating Scale ≥19) * History of Parkinson's disease * Decompensated liver disease * Active cancer * Uncontrolled depression or anxiety * Blindness * Deafness * Intellectual disabilities * Pregnancy * eGFR \<15 mL/min/1.73 m2 at the time of enrollment * Total bilirubin \>3.0 mg/dL

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The difference in changes of neurocognitive function in intermediate-term (Total cognition composite, standard score)12 monthNeurocognitive functions will be assessed across multiple cognitive domains using the NIH toolbox-Cognitive battery (NIHTB-CB) version 3. The NIHTB-CB version 3 encompasses seven tests to assess attention, executive function, language, memory, and processing speed. The total cognition composite will be derived by averaging normalized scores. The results will be reported in Standard Scores \[SS; mean of 100, standard deviation (SD) of 15\] adjusting the age of the subject. The investigators will compare the changes in standard score from baseline between the two intervention groups.
The difference in changes of neurocognitive function in intermediate-term (Fluid composite, standard score)12 monthThe fluid composite score will be obtained using the NIH toolbox-Cognitive battery (NIHTB-CB) version 3, similarly as described above. The fluid cognition composite will be derived by averaging normalized scores. The results will be reported in Standard Scores \[SS; mean of 100, standard deviation (SD) of 15\] adjusting the age of the subject. The investigators will compare the changes in standard score from baseline between the two intervention groups.
The difference in changes of neurocognitive function in intermediate-term (Crystallized composite, standard score)12 monthThe crystallized composite score will be obtained using the NIH toolbox-Cognitive battery (NIHTB-CB) version 3, similarly as described above. The crystallized cognition composite will be derived by averaging normalized scores. The results will be reported in Standard Scores \[SS; mean of 100, standard deviation (SD) of 15\] adjusting the age of the subject. The investigators will compare the changes in standard score from baseline between the two intervention groups.
The difference in changes of neurocognitive function in intermediate-term (Total cognition composite, T score)12 monthThe total composite score will be obtained using the NIH toolbox-Cognitive battery (NIHTB-CB) version 3, similarly as described above. The total cognition composite will be derived by averaging normalized scores. The results will be reported in T scores (mean of 50 and SD of 10) with adjustments for age, gender, education, and race/ethnicity. The investigators will compare the changes in T score from baseline between the two intervention groups.
The difference in changes of neurocognitive function in intermediate-term (Fluid composite, T score)12 monthThe fluid composite score will be obtained using the NIH toolbox-Cognitive battery (NIHTB-CB) version 3, similarly as described above. The fluid cognition composite will be derived by averaging normalized scores. The results will be reported in T scores (mean of 50 and SD of 10) with adjustments for age, gender, education, and race/ethnicity. The investigators will compare the changes in T score from baseline between the two intervention groups.
The difference in changes of neurocognitive function in intermediate-term (Crystallized composite, T score)12 monthThe crystallized composite score will be obtained using the NIH toolbox-Cognitive battery (NIHTB-CB) version 3, similarly as described above. The crystallized cognition composite will be derived by averaging normalized scores. The results will be reported in T scores (mean of 50 and SD of 10) with adjustments for age, gender, education, and race/ethnicity. The investigators will compare the changes in T score from baseline between the two intervention groups.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The difference in changes of neurocognitive function in short-term (Total cognition composite, standard score)3 monthSame as described above
The difference in changes of neurocognitive function in short-term (Fluid composite, standard score)3 monthSame as described above
The difference in changes of neurocognitive function in short-term (Crystallized composite, standard score)3 monthSame as described above
The difference in changes of neurocognitive function in short-term (Total cognition composite, T score)3 monthSame as described above
The difference in changes of neurocognitive function in short-term (Fluid composite, T score)3 monthSame as described above
The difference in changes of neurocognitive function in short-term (Crystallized composite, T score)3 monthSame as described above
The changes in quality of life, measured by SONG-LP questionnaire3 month and 12 monthThe Standardized Outcome in Nephrology-Life Participation (SONG-LP) questionnaire will evaluate each participant's engagement in significant life domains in correlation with the intervention. This questionnaire assesses life participation in the areas of leisure, family, work, and social activities through four simple questions. The score ranges from 4 to 20, with a higher score indicating greater engagement in life activities. The difference in changes of total score from baseline between the two intervention groups will be obtained.
The changes in tremor, measured by QUEST questionnaire3 month and 12 monthQuality of Life in Essential Tremor (QUEST) questionnaire will be used to assess tremors subjectively. This questionnaire comprises 30 items contributing to the five dimensions: physical/activities of daily living, psychosocial, communication, hobbies/leisure, and work/finances. The investigators will also obtain self-rated tremor severity in various body parts. The score ranges from 0 to 120, with a higher score indicating a greater impact on their QOL from tremor. The investigators will compare the changes in total score and the score on each scale from baseline between the two intervention groups.
The changes in sleep quantity, measured by a wearable device3 month and 12 monthThe investigators will assess each participant's sleep quantity using wearable devices. The participants will be instructed to wear the device continuously for 14 days at pre-specified time points during the study period. Sleep quantity will be represented by the total amount of time spent asleep. The difference in changes in sleep quantity from baseline will be compared between the two intervention groups.
The changes in sleep quality, measured by a wearable device3 month and 12 monthThe investigators will objectively assess each participant's sleep quality using wearable devices. The participants will be instructed to wear the device continuously for 14 days at pre-specified time points during the study period. Sleep quality will be measured as a percentage of time spent in deep sleep and REM sleep to the total sleep time. A higher percentage indicates a better sleep quality. The changes in sleep quality from baseline will be compared between the two intervention groups.

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTLeonardo V. Riella, MD, PhD
lriella@mgh.harvard.edu6177240345
CONTACTAmelia Stocking
astocking@mgh.harvard.edu617-724-1976
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORLeonardo V. Riella, MD, PhD

Massachusetts General Hospital

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: May 29, 2026