Phase 2 Randomized Study of Mivelsiran in Adults with Early-Stage Down Syndrome-Associated Alzheimer’s Disease

2 1

What is this study about?

The study focuses on adults who have early-stage Down Syndrome-Associated Alzheimer’s Disease, a condition in which the brain changes typical of Alzheimer’s appear at a younger age in people with Down syndrome. The investigational drug Mivelsiran (code name ALN-961583) is administered by an intrathecal injection, meaning it is delivered directly into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord, and a matching placebo solution is used for comparison.

The purpose of the study is to determine whether the drug can reduce brain amyloid, a protein that accumulates in Alzheimer’s, as measured by a brain scan called PET. Participants will receive a series of injections over about two years and will attend regular visits that include simple blood draws, a spinal fluid sample (CSF), and brief cognitive tests to monitor safety and any changes.

1 enrollment

you have joined the study after providing consent and confirming eligibility for early‑stage down syndrome‑associated alzheimer’s disease.

baseline information is recorded before any study medication is given.

2 randomization

you are randomly assigned to receive either mivelsiran or a placebo (isotonic aqueous buffer).

the assignment is double‑blind, meaning you and the study staff do not know which product you receive.

3 first intrathecal injection

you receive a single intrathecal injection (injection into the spinal fluid) of the assigned product.

the injection is a solution for injection; the dose listed in the protocol is 0 mg, administered by trained personnel.

4 baseline assessments

you undergo an amyloid PET scan to measure brain amyloid levels.

cerebrospinal fluid (csf) is collected to measure sAPPβ, sAPPα, and Aβ42 concentrations.

a blood sample is taken to measure p‑tau217 levels in plasma.

you complete the modified cognitive rating test (mcrt) to assess cognition.

5 ongoing treatment period

you continue to receive intrathecal injections of the same product according to the study schedule for up to 24 months.

each injection uses the same dose and route as the first injection; the exact frequency is defined by the study protocol.

6 month‑24 follow‑up assessments

at the end of month 24 you repeat the amyloid PET scan.

csf and blood samples are collected again to measure the same biomarkers (sAPPβ, sAPPα, Aβ42, p‑tau217).

you complete the mcrt again to evaluate any change in cognition.

7 study completion

after the month‑24 assessments the study medication is stopped and the trial ends for you.

the collected data will be used to evaluate the safety and effect of mivelsiran compared with placebo.

Who Can Join the Study?

  • Be a man or woman between 40 and 55 years old when you sign the consent form and have early‑stage Down Syndrome‑Associated Alzheimer’s Disease (DS‑AD), which is a form of Alzheimer’s that can appear in people with Down syndrome.
  • Have a confirmed diagnosis of Down syndrome, meaning you have an extra copy of chromosome 21 (called trisomy 21).
  • Be judged by the study doctor to be cognitively stable (your thinking and memory are not rapidly getting worse), as shown by a team review and a score of 2 or less on the National Task Group‑Early Detection Screen for Dementia (NTG‑EDSD) for memory and language.
  • Show a level of brain amyloid that is at least 18 centiloid (CL) units on an Amyloid PET scan, which is an imaging test that measures the amount of amyloid protein in the brain.
  • Be able and willing to follow all study visits, travel to the study center, and complete required procedures, and have supportive living circumstances. You must also have a study partner (a family member or caregiver) who can give accurate information about your daily abilities and agree to take part in the study visits.
  • If you have a history of seizures, they must be well‑controlled with medication, and you must not have had a seizure in the six months before screening.
  • Be able to understand the study, agree to follow all requirements, and sign a written informed consent form (or have a legally authorized representative sign for you). If you might lose the ability to decide later, you can give an advance consent while you are still able.

Who Cannot Join the Study?

  • Severe intellectual disability (IQ ≤ 40 or mental age < 4 years) as measured by a standard test.
  • Use of antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, benzodiazepines (except for study imaging), acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, anticonvulsants, mood stabilizers, or memantine unless the dose has been stable for at least 12 weeks before screening.
  • Taking any systemic antiviral or antimicrobial medication for an active infection within 7 days before the first study dose.
  • Having a significant electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormality or a corrected QT interval (QTcF) longer than 460 ms for males or 480 ms for females, unless the doctor judges it not clinically important.
  • Having a resting systolic blood pressure over 150 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure over 90 mm Hg after 10 minutes of rest.
  • Having an active infection (such as flu or COVID‑19) that the doctor believes would stop you from completing the study.
  • Having a history of brain or spinal problems (tumors, abnormal scans, fluid buildup, spinal cord disease, previous spinal surgery, or instability of the neck vertebrae) that could interfere with a lumbar puncture or safety assessments.
  • Using antiplatelet or anticoagulant medicines that make a lumbar puncture unsafe, unless the doctor can manage the risk safely.
  • Having a personal history of easy bleeding (known as bleeding diathesis) or a blood clotting disorder (coagulopathy).
  • Having ever been intolerant to an intrathecal (IT) injection (injection into the spinal fluid).
  • Having any condition that raises the risk of meningitis (infection of the brain lining), such as a weakened immune system.
  • Having a history of Down syndrome regression disorder (a sudden loss of skills).
  • Any other medical problem that the doctor feels would make it hard to follow the study plan or affect the results.
  • Being hospitalized for a major surgery or medical procedure with general anesthesia within the past 12 weeks or planned during the trial.
  • Having poorly controlled obstructive sleep apnea or hypothyroidism that could affect the ability to track functional status.
  • Having attempted suicide, having serious suicidal thoughts with a plan that required hospital care, or being judged at high risk for suicide, severe depression, psychosis, confusion, or violent behavior within the past year.
  • Not agreeing to use birth control as required by the study.
  • Being pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
  • Having a recent (within the last 12 months) problem with alcohol misuse (known as alcohol use disorder).
  • Having any of the following abnormal lab results at screening:
    • High liver enzymes (ALT or AST) more than twice the normal limit.
    • Total bilirubin greater than 1.5 times normal (unless due to Gilbert’s syndrome and still under 2 × normal).
    • International Normalized Ratio (INR) over 1.4 (a measure of blood clotting).
    • Platelet count lower than 100,000 per microliter (low platelets).
    • Very low white blood cell counts (neutrophils or lymphocytes) below the normal range.
    • Kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate, eGFR) less than 45 mL/min/1.73 m².
  • Receiving any other experimental drug, biologic, or device within the past 6 months or five drug half‑lives (whichever is longer).
  • Having taken an anti‑amyloid antibody before or during the study.
  • Having received an intrathecal medication that targets genes (such as siRNA or antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)) within the past 3 years.
  • Having received a medication that targets the protein tau within the past 3 years.
  • Having any history of gene therapy, cell transplantation, or experimental brain surgery.
  • Having an implanted shunt or catheter that drains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain or spine.

Where you can join this trial?

Verified and Recommended Sites

No sites found in this category

Verified Sites

Site Name City Country Status
Hospital Clinico San Carlos Madrid Spain
Hospital Universitario De Navarra Pamplona Spain

Other Sites

Site Name City Country Status
Universita’ Campus Bio-medico Di Roma Rome Italy
Ospedale Fatebenefratelli Isola Tiberina Gemelli Isola Rome Italy
Gesundheit Nord gGmbH Klinikverbund Bremen Bremen Germany
Hospital Universitario Dr Peset Aleixandre Valencia Spain
Gestion Hospitalaria Del Sur S.A. Dos Hermanas Spain
Abwggequu Ura Amsterdam The Netherlands
Khonapxb dqf Uumtolsnqyan Mktyurqg Ayi Munich Germany
Hghowdek Di Lo Szool Chek I Swnr Pvx Barcelona Spain

Want to learn more about this study or check if you can participate? Contact us.

Trial status

Country Status Recruitment Start
Germany Germany
Not yet recruiting
03.09.2026
Ireland Ireland
Not yet recruiting
03.09.2026
Italy Italy
Not yet recruiting
03.09.2026
Spain Spain
Not yet recruiting
03.09.2026
The Netherlands The Netherlands
Not yet recruiting
03.09.2026

Trial locations

Mivelsiran is an experimental medicine being tested for the first time in people with early‑stage Down syndrome‑associated Alzheimer’s disease. It is given as a very small amount of liquid that is injected directly into the spinal fluid (intrathecal administration). The goal of the study is to see whether this medicine can reduce the amount of amyloid protein that builds up in the brain, which is thought to help slow the disease.

WATER FOR INJECTION is a sterile, pure water solution that is also injected into the spinal fluid. In the trial it is used as a comparison to help researchers understand the effects of the injection itself and to make sure any changes seen are due to the active medicine, not just the procedure.

Investigated Diseases:

Early-Stage Down Syndrome-Associated Alzheimer’s Disease (DS-AD) – It is a neurodegenerative condition that appears in individuals with Down syndrome, characterized by the early buildup of amyloid proteins in the brain. The disease starts with subtle changes in thinking and memory, which gradually become more noticeable over months and years. As the amyloid accumulates, brain cells begin to lose connections, leading to increasing difficulty with daily tasks. The condition progresses with worsening of language, problem‑solving, and spatial abilities. Over time, the decline spreads to other cognitive functions, reflecting the spread of disease pathology across brain regions.

Trial ID:
2025-523390-42-00
Protocol code:
ALN-APP-003
Trial Phase:
Therapeutic exploratory (Phase II)

Other Trials to Consider

  • Study of trospium chloride and xanomeline tartrate combination for agitation in Alzheimer’s disease patients: Long-term safety evaluation

    Recruiting

    3 1 1
    Investigated Diseases:
    Bulgaria Croatia Czechia France Greece Hungary +5
  • A study testing trontinemab compared to placebo in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease including mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia

    Recruiting

    3 1 1
    Investigated Diseases:
    Denmark France Germany Italy Poland Spain