Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL) - Hôpital des Charpennes

At Hospices Civils de Lyon – Hôpital des Charpennes, investigators are advancing therapies for neurodegenerative conditions. Current trials focus on Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, assessing safety and efficacy through the Clinical Dementia Rating‑Sum of Boxes.

• Biomarker-driven early Alzheimer’s interventions
• Intrathecal delivery of therapeutic agents
• Cognitive outcome assessment using CDR‑SB
• Safety monitoring in mild dementia cohorts

The program involves four investigators and five active studies, reflecting a strong commitment to improving outcomes for patients with early and mild dementia.

Research at the centre includes a detailed examination of Parkinson’s disease. The primary goal is to compare the expression of the serotonergic 5‑HT4 receptor between patients and age‑matched healthy volunteers, providing insights that could guide future therapeutic strategies.

• Serotonergic 5‑HT4 receptor expression profiling
• Comparative analysis with age‑matched controls
• Exploration of neural pathways in Parkinson’s
• Foundations for receptor‑targeted drug development

These investigations are part of the broader effort in musculoskeletal and neural physiological phenomena, linking receptor biology to movement disorder pathology.

A key focus is the management of agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Trials are testing a new combination therapy to reduce behavioral symptoms, measured by the Cohen‑Mansfield Agitation Inventory. The investigational agent KarXT is being evaluated for its potential to improve patient calmness and safety.

• Behavioral symptom measurement (CMAI‑IPA)
• Combination therapy efficacy evaluation
• Safety and tolerability in elderly dementia patients
• Impact on caregiver burden and patient quality of life

This neuropsychiatric work aligns with the site’s expertise in mental disorders and aims to enhance quality of life for individuals living with dementia.