Staccato Alprazolam and Photoparoxysmal Response

Assessment of Staccato® Alprazolam on the EEG Photoparoxysmal Response in Patients With Epilepsy

The purpose of this study is to determine whether people who usually have photosensitive epilepsy will show a reduction in epileptic activity when they take a single dose of Staccato Alprazolam as compared to placebo.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Epilepsy
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: A=Placebo; Drug: B=Inhaled Alprazolam 0.5 mg; Drug: C=Inhaled Alprazolam 1 m; Drug: D= Inhaled Alprazolam 2 mg; Drug: E=Placebo

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to determine whether people who usually have photosensitive epilepsy will show a reduction in epileptic activity when they take a single dose of Staccato Alprazolam as compared to placebo. People with photosensitive epilepsy have changes on their electroencephalogram (EEG) when shown flashing lights. Three dose levels of Staccato Alprazolam will be compared to placebo.

This study will also assess the level of sedation of Staccato Alprazolam compared to placebo.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 5
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Idaho
    • Boise, Idaho, United States
      • Consultants in Epilepsy & Neurology, PLLC
  • New York
    • New York, New York, United States
      • New York University Epilepsy Center
  • Pennsylvania
    • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
      • University of Pennsylvania - Penn Epilepsy Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years to 58 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female subjects between the ages of 18 to 60 years, inclusive
• Body mass index (BMI) ≥18 and ≤35 kg/m2
• Able to speak, read, and understand English and willing and able to provide written informed consent on an IRB-approved form before the initiation of any study procedures
• A diagnosis and history of a photoparoxysmal response on EEG with or without a diagnosis of epilepsy for which patients are on 0-2 concomitant antiepileptic drugs
• At least 3 of the EEGs performed during the screen visit must have a reproducible IPS-induced photoparoxysmal response (PPR) on EEG of at least 3 points on a frequency assessment scale in at least one eye condition
• In otherwise good general health as determined by a complete medical history, physical examination, 12-lead ECG, blood chemistry profile, hematology, and urinalysis
• Female participants (if of child-bearing potential and sexually active) and male participants (if sexually active with a partner of child-bearing potential) who agree to use a medically acceptable and effective birth control method throughout the study and for 1 week following the end of the study. Medically acceptable methods of contraception that may be used by the participant and/or his/her partner include abstinence, birth control pills or patches, diaphragm with spermicide, intrauterine device (IUD), surgical sterilization, and progestin implant or injection. Prohibited methods include: the rhythm method, withdrawal, condoms alone, or diaphragm alone

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of non-epileptic seizures (e.g. metabolic, structural, or pseudo-seizures)
• History of seizure worsening in response to narrow spectrum drugs
• An active CNS infection, demyelinating disease, degenerative neurological disease or any CNS disease deemed to be progressive during the course of the study that may confound the interpretation of the study results
• Use of more than 2 concomitant AEDs for epilepsy treatment
• Subjects taking known inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A , including carbamazepine
• Subjects with a history of allergic reactions to alprazolam or other benzodiazepines
• Treatment with an investigational drug within 30 days (or within 5 half-lives of the investigational drug, if >30 days) before Visit 2
• A history within the past 1 year of drug or alcohol dependence or abuse
• Positive urine screen for drugs of abuse at Visit 1 - Screening
• A history of HIV-positivity
• Female subjects who have a positive pregnancy test at screening or prior to test sessions or are breastfeeding
• History of acute narrow angle glaucoma, Parkinson's disease, hydrocephalus, or history of significant head trauma
• Subjects who have a current history of asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), or any lung disease associated with bronchospasm
• Subjects who use medications to treat airways disease, such as asthma or COPD
• Subjects who have any acute respiratory signs/symptoms (e.g., wheezing)
• Clinically significant ECG abnormality including (but not limited to) any of the following conduction abnormalities or dysrhythmias: atrial fibrillation, mean QTcF (QT interval corrected for heart rate using Fridericia's method) interval >450 msec, ventricular rate <45 beats/min, second or third degree AV block, left bundle branch block, or evidence of prior myocardial infarction (MI) or acute ischemia
• Hypotension (systolic blood pressure ≤90 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure ≤50 mm Hg), or hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mm Hg) measured while seated at screening or baseline
• Significant hepatic, renal, gastroenterologic, cardiovascular (including ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure), endocrine, neurologic (including history of seizures or stroke), or hematologic disease
• Any other disease or condition, by history, physical examination, or laboratory abnormalities that in the investigator's opinion, would present undue risk to the subject, or may confound the interpretation of study results

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

5

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Sequence BEADC; A=Placebo, B=Inhaled Alprazolam 0.5 mg, C=Inhaled Alprazolam 1 mg, D= Inhaled Alprazolam 2 mg, E=Placebo	Drug: A=Placebo; Drug: B=Inhaled Alprazolam 0.5 mg; Drug: C=Inhaled Alprazolam 1 m; Drug: D= Inhaled Alprazolam 2 mg; Drug: E=Placebo
Experimental: Sequence CDAEB; A=Placebo, B=Inhaled Alprazolam 0.5 mg, C=Inhaled Alprazolam 1 mg, D= Inhaled Alprazolam 2 mg, E=Placebo	Drug: A=Placebo; Drug: B=Inhaled Alprazolam 0.5 mg; Drug: C=Inhaled Alprazolam 1 m; Drug: D= Inhaled Alprazolam 2 mg; Drug: E=Placebo
Experimental: Sequence DEBAC; A=Placebo, B=Inhaled Alprazolam 0.5 mg, C=Inhaled Alprazolam 1 mg, D= Inhaled Alprazolam 2 mg, E=Placebo	Drug: A=Placebo; Drug: B=Inhaled Alprazolam 0.5 mg; Drug: C=Inhaled Alprazolam 1 m; Drug: D= Inhaled Alprazolam 2 mg; Drug: E=Placebo
Experimental: Sequence EDBAC; A=Placebo, B=Inhaled Alprazolam 0.5 mg, C=Inhaled Alprazolam 1 mg, D= Inhaled Alprazolam 2 mg, E=Placebo	Drug: A=Placebo; Drug: B=Inhaled Alprazolam 0.5 mg; Drug: C=Inhaled Alprazolam 1 m; Drug: D= Inhaled Alprazolam 2 mg; Drug: E=Placebo
Experimental: Sequence CABED; A=Placebo, B=Inhaled Alprazolam 0.5 mg, C=Inhaled Alprazolam 1 mg, D= Inhaled Alprazolam 2 mg, E=Placebo	Drug: A=Placebo; Drug: B=Inhaled Alprazolam 0.5 mg; Drug: C=Inhaled Alprazolam 1 m; Drug: D= Inhaled Alprazolam 2 mg; Drug: E=Placebo

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Maximum Observed Change From Pretreatment Baseline in the Standardized Photosensitivity Range (SPR)	Photosensitivity describes the presentation of an epileptiform EEG response (photoparoxysmal response) from exposure to intermittent photic stimulation (IPS). SPR is the number of frequency steps (2, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15, 18, 20, 23, 25, 30, 40, 50 and 60 Hz). between the upper and lower limits of sensitivity to IPS for that patient at that time, in order not to evoke seizures. Thus a reduction (-change) means the intervention is working (desired effect on sensitivity)	SPR was recorded pretreatment, 2, 10, 30 min, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hr post each study drug administration The maximum change from baseline occurred at: 10 min for alprazolam 2 mg, 1 hour for alprazolam 0.5 and 1 mg and placebo

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Maximum Sedation Using Visual Analog Scale (Sedated-Alert)	Maximum change (in mm) from pretreatment baseline in level of sedation reported by the patient on a 100 mm line anchored by Sedated (0) and Alert (100)	Sedation was recorded pretreatment, 2, 10, 30 min, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hr post each study drug administration The maximum change from baseline occurred at:: 30 min for alprazolam 1 mg, 1 hour for alprazolam 0.5 and 2 mg, and 4 hours for placebo
Maximum Sedation Using Visual Analog Scale (Sleepy-Awake)	Maximum change (in mm) from pretreatment baseline in level of sedation reported by each subject on a 100 mm line anchored by Sleepy (0) and Awake (100)	Sleepiness was recorded pretreatment, 2, 10, 30 min, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hr post each study drug administration The maximum change from baseline occurred: at: 30 min for alprazolam 1 mg, 1 hour for alprazolam 0.5 and 2 mg and placebo
Correlation of Plasma Concentrations of Alprazolam With Pharmacodynamic Effects on Standardized Photosensitivity Range (SPR)	Pearson correlation of all paired plasma concentrations of alprazolam (PK) with pharmacodynamic effect on SPR (PD) for each alprazolam dose	Pretreatment, 2, 10, 30 min, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hr post each study drug administration
Correlation of Plasma Concentrations of Alprazolam With Pharmacodynamic Effects on Visual Analog Scale (Sedated-Alert)	Pearson correlation of all paired plasma concentrations of alprazolam (PK) with pharmacodynamic effect on Sedation (PD) for each alprazolam dose	Pretreatment, 2, 10, 30 min, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hr post each study drug administration
Correlation of Plasma Concentrations of Alprazolam With Pharmacodynamic Effects on Visual Analog Scale (Sleepy-Awake)	Pearson correlation of all paired plasma concentrations of alprazolam (PK) with pharmacodynamic effect on Sleepiness (PD) for each alprazolam dose	Pretreatment, 2, 10, 30 min, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hr post each study drug administration

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Collaborators: The Epilepsy Study Consortium
• Investigators: Study Chair: J Isojarvi, MD, Engage Therapeutics, Inc.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2015
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 1, 2016
• Study Completion (Actual): July 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 19, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 27, 2015
• First Posted (Estimate): January 30, 2015

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 10, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 19, 2021
• Last Verified: July 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Epilepsy; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Neurotransmitter Agents; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Central Nervous System Depressants; Tranquilizing Agents; Psychotropic Drugs; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Anti-Anxiety Agents; GABA Modulators; GABA Agents; Alprazolam
• Other Study ID Numbers: AMDC-002-202

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: Yes
• IPD Plan Description: IPD submitted to regulatory authorities. Others may contact Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Please send your request to ClinicalTrialsInfo@alexza.com
• IPD Sharing Time Frame: Within 10 days of request approval
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: Approval of formal request for access
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: Study Protocol; Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP); Informed Consent Form (ICF)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No