Acetazolamide Trial in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Background: The only available treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is implantation of a neurosurgical shunt system that reduces symptoms in two out of three cases. Postoperative complications are common, causing reoperations in 20-30% within the first years after surgery. A pharmacological treatment is missing.

In three previous studies, acetazolamide, a reversible inhibitor of the carbonic anhydrase enzyme, was used as treatment off-label. In the first of these studies, 15 patients with NPH were treated with doses 250-500 mg/day and 10 patients improved (Aimard G et. al.). The second study was a case report of one patient with NPH who improved after receiving the dose 500 mg/day (Garcia-Gasco P et. al.). The most recent study used doses of 125-375 mg/day and included 8 patients of whom 5 improved. Furthermore, the last study reported a reduction of the periventricular edema that is often present in the white matter close to the lateral ventricles in patients with NPH (Alperin N et. al.). These three studies were open label with no blinding or control group.

Study design: Study design is a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. The study is investigator-initiated without financial sponsorship from the industry. The plan is to consecutively include 42-50 patients with NPH. Patients will be randomized to acetazolamide or placebo and take the study drug from diagnosis (baseline) to admission for shunt surgery. Waiting time for shunt surgery at the center of the study is approximately 4-8 months at the moment. The dose will be titrated to 250 mg x 2 during 4-6 weeks. Two phone visits with a study nurse and routine blood samples are controlled during the titration phase to rule out side effects.

Evaluations of clinical symptoms and blood samples for blood biomarkers are collected at baseline, after 3 months and when the study drug is stopped. Lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is collected at baseline and intraventricular CSF is collected during shunt surgery. All patients are investigated after shunt surgery, 3 months postoperatively with evaluation of symptoms and blood samples. Blood- and CSF samples are stored in a biobank.

In a subgroup of 24-26 patients, an MRI of the brain is performed before the start of study drug and after 3 months. In this subgroup also assessments of symptoms and blood samples for analysis of plasma biomarkers will be collected in connection with the MRI scans.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus according to international guidelines
• Age ≥ 50 years and ≤ 82 years
• Cognitive function with Mini-Mental State Examination > 20 points or cognitive domain of iNPH scale ≥ 30 points.
• MRI image characteristic of normal pressure hydrocephalus, defined as callosal angle < 90 degrees and dilated lateral ventricles or pattern of disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus (DESH).
• Signed informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

• Exclusion criteria for MRI examination
• Participation in another medical trial
• Other disease likely to impact the symptoms of the patient
• Wheelchair user or unable to walk without support
• Reduced kidney function with GFR < 50
• Reduced liver function (increased INR or alanine transaminase concentrations in plasma elevated more than 1.5 times reference values)
• Known heart failure
• Low concentrations of electrolytes in blood plasma that, according to the investigator, prevents participation in the study
• Angle-closure glaucoma
• Allergy to acetazolamide, sulfonamides, or sulfonamide derivatives
• Treatment with phenytoin, valproate, carbamazepine, lithium, oral anticoagulants, thiazide-diuretics, or acetylsalicylic acid > 100 mg/day
• Inability to swallow capsules of the same size as the investigational medicinal products (will be tested using empty capsules when the patient is asked to participate in the study)
• Average walking time for the three walking tests < 10.5 seconds for men and < 11.5 seconds for women.
• Average walking time for the three walking tests > 50 seconds
• Inability to comply with the study treatment independently, and a concurrent lack of individuals to help the patient comply with the treatment during the study period
• Fertile woman without highly effective contraception. A Fertile woman will be tested with pregnancy test before inclusion is possible.