Clinical trial Recruiting at 36 sites Phase 3 Interventional Ages 55 to 90

Evaluating KarXT for treating psychosis in Alzheimer's patients

Official title: A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Relapse Prevention Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of KarXT for the Treatment of Psychosis Associated With Alzheimer's Disease

Run by Karuna Therapeutics, Inc., a Bristol Myers Squibb company · NCT05511363 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new treatment called KarXT to see if it can help people with Alzheimer's who are experiencing psychosis and prevent them from getting worse.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages55 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
Enrollment410 (estimated)
SponsorKaruna Therapeutics, Inc., a Bristol Myers Squibb company
Industry-sponsored
Locations129 sites (Homewood, Alabama and 128 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 23, 2022
Main results expectedOctober 5, 2026
Study endsOctober 5, 2026
Registry record updatedAugust 17, 2026
Trial IDNCT05511363 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are individuals aged 55 to 90 years with a diagnosis of possible or probable Alzheimer's Disease who are experiencing psychosis.

Probably not a fit

Patients with other central nervous system diseases or those unable to provide informed consent may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This Phase 3 clinical trial is a 38-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to assess the efficacy and safety of KarXT in patients experiencing psychosis associated with Alzheimer's Disease. The primary goal is to evaluate the prevention of relapse in these patients compared to a placebo group. Secondary objectives include assessing the time to discontinuation for any reason and monitoring safety and tolerability of the treatment. The study involves multiple outpatient centers and aims to provide valuable insights into managing this challenging condition.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve the quality of life for patients suffering from psychosis related to Alzheimer's Disease.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in treating psychosis in Alzheimer's patients, but this specific approach with KarXT is novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Is aged 55 to 90 years, inclusive, at Screening
* Can understand the nature of the study and protocol requirements and provide a signed informed consent form before any study assessments are performed. If the subject is deemed not competent to provide consent, the following requirements for consent must be met.

  i) The subject's legally acceptable representative must provide informed consent; ii) The subject must provide assent or similar where permitted per local law/regulation and as approved by the IRB/IEC.
* Meets clinical criteria for possible or probable Alzheimer's Disease
* Has a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) scan of the brain (completed within the past 5 years) taken during or subsequent to the onset of dementia to rule out other central nervous system (CNS) disease that could account for the dementia syndrome. If not available, a non-contrast brain MRI or non-contrast head CT must be done during screening.
* Living at the same location for a minimum of 4 weeks before Screening, with the intention of living at the same location throughout the study.
* Capable of self-locomotion (alone or with the aid of an assistive device) and have an identified caregiver or study partner who, in the investigator's judgment, has frequent and sufficient contact with the participant (ie, ≥ approximately 7 hours per week) on a regular basis to reliably provide accurate information regarding the participant's cognitive, behavioral, and functional status, and is willing to:

  i) Attend all visits and report on participant's status. ii) Oversee participant compliance with medication and study procedures; iii) Participate in the study assessments and provide informed consent to participate in the study.
* History of psychotic symptoms (meeting International Psychogeriatric Association \[IPA\] criteria) for at least 2 months prior to Screening.
* Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) scale with a score ≥4 (moderate) at Screening and Baseline. CGI-S requires the assessor to consider aspects of the psychosis prior to providing a global assessment of severity. These aspects include hallucinations and delusions.
* Subjects are required to meet at least one of the following criteria at Screening and Baseline:

  i) Moderate to severe delusions, defined as Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Clinician (NPI-C): Delusions domain score of ≥2 on two of the eight items OR; ii) Moderate to severe hallucinations, defined as NPI-C: Hallucinations domain score of ≥ 2 on two of the seven items.
* Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 6 to 24, inclusive, at Screening
* If the subject is taking a cholinesterase inhibitor and/or memantine, they must have been on a stable dose for 6 weeks prior to Screening and be willing to maintain a stable dose for the duration of the study.
* Participant is willing and able to attend the study visit for the study duration, follow instructions, and comply with the protocol requirements
* BMI must be within 16 to 40 kg/m2 and participants with a BMI of 16 to \<18 kg/m2 must have a body weight ≥40 kg.
* A female (as assigned at birth) is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant or breastfeeding. Individual of childbearing potential (IOCBP) must be able and willing to use at least 1 highly effective method of contraception during the study and for at least 1 menstrual cycle (e.g., 30 days) after the last dose of IMP.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Psychotic symptoms that are primarily attributable to a condition other than the Alzheimer's Disease causing dementia
* History of major depressive episode with psychotic features during the 12 months prior to Screening
* History of a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder
* Significant or severe medical conditions including pulmonary, hepatic, renal, hematologic, gastrointestinal, endocrine, immunologic, dermatologic, neurologic, cardiovascular or oncologic disease, or any other condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, could jeopardize the safety of the subject, ability to complete or comply with the study procedures or validity of the study results
* Significant or severe renal impairment based on a screening cutoff for Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) of \<50 mL/min
* History of ischemic stroke within 12 months prior to Screening or any evidence of hemorrhagic stroke
* History of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, epilepsy, central nervous system neoplasm, unstable thyroid function, or unexplained syncope
* Any of the following:

  i) New York Heart Association Class 2 congestive heart failure; ii) Grade 2 or greater angina pectoris; iii) Sustained ventricular tachycardia; iv) Ventricular fibrillation; v) Torsade de pointes; vi) Implantable cardiac defibrillator.
* Myocardial infarction within the 6 months prior to Screening
* Personal or family history of symptoms of long QT syndrome as evaluated by the investigator
* Human immunodeficiency virus, cirrhosis, biliary duct abnormalities, active biliary disease, hepatobiliary carcinoma, and/or active hepatic viral infections as indicated by medical history or liver function tests results
* History or high risk of urinary retention, gastric retention, or narrow-angle glaucoma as evaluated by the investigator
* Participants with any of the following:

  i) History of bladder stones; ii) History of recurrent urinary tract infections; iii) For male participants:
  1. Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) \> 10 ng/mL at Screening
  2. An IPSS of 5 (almost always) on items 1, 3, 5, or 6
  3. A sum of scores on IPSS items 1, 3, 5, and 6 of ≥9
* History of obstructive gastrointestinal disorder, gastric retention, irritable bowel syndrome (with or without constipation) or serious constipation requiring treatment within the last 6 months
* Risk of suicidal behavior during the study as determined by clinical assessment and/ or C-SSRS
* Clinically significant abnormal finding on the physical examination, electrocardiogram, or clinical laboratory results at Screening
* Urine toxicology screen is positive substances other than cannabis or benzodiazepines (both cannabis and short-or medium-acting benzodiazepines are allowed in limited quantities during the study) unless approval has been given by the Medical Monitor
* Currently receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors, anticonvulsants (e.g., lamotrigine, divalproex), mood stabilizers (eg, lithium) tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., imipramine, desipramine), or any other psychoactive medications except for as-needed anxiolytics (e.g., lorazepam) and unable to complete the washout:

  i) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors taken at a stable dose for at least 8 weeks prior to Screening may be permitted; ii) Mirtazapine or trazodone may be used if started at least 8 weeks prior to Screening. If needed, an extension (up to two weeks) of the Screening Period may be allowed with approval of the Sponsor/Medical Monitor.
* If, in the opinion of the Investigator and/or Sponsor/Medical Monitor, subject is unsuitable for enrollment in the study or subject has any finding that, in the view of the Investigator and/or Sponsor/ Medical Monitor, may compromise the safety of the subject or affect his/her ability to adhere to the protocol visit schedule or fulfill visit requirements
* Positive test for coronavirus (COVID-19) within 2 weeks before or at Screening; antigen or PCR local testing can be done at the discretion of the Investigator
* Unable to taper and discontinue a concomitant medication that would preclude participation in the study
* Prior exposure to KarXT
* Experienced any significant adverse events due to trospium, including a known hypersensitivity to trospium
* Participation in another clinical study in which the subject received an experimental or investigational drug within 3 months before Screening or has participated in more than 2 clinical studies in the past year
* Other protocol-defined Inclusion/Exclusion criteria apply

Where it's running

  • ATP Clinical Research-302 W La Veta Ave
    Orange, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Sunwise Clinical Research, LLC - Walnut Creek - IVY - PPDS
    Walnut Creek, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • K2 Medical Research - Winter Garden
    Clermont, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Arrow Clinical Trials
    Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • K2 Medical Research - Maitland
    Maitland, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of South Florida
    Tampa, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
  • Five Towns Neurology, PC
    Woodmere, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Clinical Trial Network - 7080 Southwest Fwy
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Medical Center Medconsult Pleven OOD
    Pleven, Bulgaria
    Recruiting
  • Medical Center Sveti Naum EOOD
    Sofia, Bulgaria
    Recruiting
  • Polyclinic Neuron
    Zagreb, City of Zagreb, Croatia
    Recruiting
  • Psychiatric Clinic Sveti Ivan
    Zagreb, City of Zagreb, Croatia
    Recruiting
  • CLINTRIAL s.r.o.
    Prague, Praha, Hlavní Mesto, Czechia
    Recruiting
  • A-SHINE s.r.o.
    Pilsen, Czechia
    Recruiting
  • Vestra Clinics s.r.o.
    Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Czechia
    Recruiting
  • CHU de Reims Hôpital Robert Debré
    Reims, Marne, France
    Recruiting
  • Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena - Policlinico di Modena
    Baggiovara, Modena, Italy
    Recruiting
  • Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli - Rome - PPDS
    Roma, Italy
    Recruiting
  • University Clinical Center of Serbia - Pasterova 2 - PPDS
    Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
    Recruiting
  • Clinical Hospital Center Dragisa Misovic Dedinje
    Belgrade, Serbia
    Recruiting
  • Military Medical Academy
    Belgrade, Serbia
    Recruiting
  • Military Medical Academy
    Belgrade, Serbia
    Recruiting
  • University Clinical Center Kragujevac
    Kragujevac, Serbia
    Recruiting
  • University Clinical Center Kragujevac
    Kragujevac, Serbia
    Recruiting
  • University Clinical Center Kragujevac
    Kragujevac, Serbia
    Recruiting
  • Clinical Centre of Vojvodina
    Novi Sad, Serbia
    Recruiting
  • Univerzitna nemocnica L Pasteura Kosice-Rastislavova 43
    Košice, Košice Region, Slovakia
    Recruiting
  • MUDr. Beata Dupejova, Neurologicka ambulancia, s.r.o.
    Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
    Recruiting
  • KONZILIUM s.r.o
    Dubnica nad Váhom, Slovakia
    Recruiting
  • EPAMED s.r.o
    Košice, Slovakia
    Recruiting
  • Crystal Comfort, s.r.o.
    Vranov nad Topľou, Slovakia
    Recruiting
  • Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca - H. Clinico
    Salamanca, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Victoria Eugenia
    Seville, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario Rio Hortega
    Valladolid, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Provincial de Zamora
    Zamora, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Hospital Viamed Montecanal
    Zaragoza, Spain
    Recruiting
  • Local Institution - 1029
    Homewood, Alabama, United States
    Active not recruiting
  • Local Institution - 1044
    Phoenix, Arizona, United States
    Completed
  • Local Institution - 1033
    Encino, California, United States
    Completed
  • Local Institution - 1031
    Irvine, California, United States
    Withdrawn
  • Local Institution - 1043
    Pasadena, California, United States
    Completed
  • Local Institution - 1047
    San Marcos, California, United States
    Completed
  • Local Institution - 1014
    Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
    Completed
  • Local Institution - 1013
    Stamford, Connecticut, United States
    Completed
  • Local Institution - 1011
    Boca Raton, Florida, United States
    Completed
  • Local Institution - 1020
    Bonita Springs, Florida, United States
    Completed
  • Local Institution - 1015
    Bradenton, Florida, United States
    Completed
  • Local Institution - 1045
    Doral, Florida, United States
    Active not recruiting
  • Local Institution - 1046
    Hialeah, Florida, United States
    Active not recruiting
  • Local Institution - 1024
    Hialeah, Florida, United States
    Withdrawn

+79 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

  • ML-007C-MA for hallucinations and delusions in Alzheimer's disease

    This will test whether ML-007C-MA reduces hallucinations and delusions in people aged 55–90 with Alzheimer's-related psychosis.

    Recruiting at 61 sites Phase 2 MapLight Therapeutics · Phoenix, Arizona and 61 other locations · NCT06887192

  • KarXT for psychosis in people with Alzheimer's disease

    This Phase 3 test will see if KarXT reduces hallucinations and delusions in people aged 55–90 who have Alzheimer's-related psychosis.

    Recruiting at 7 sites Phase 3 Karuna Therapeutics, Inc., a Bristol Myers Squibb company · Chandler, Arizona and 156 other locations · NCT06126224

  • Long-term safety assessment of KarXT for Alzheimer's-related psychosis

    This study is testing the long-term safety of a treatment called KarXT for people with Alzheimer's-related psychosis who have already participated in earlier trials.

    Recruiting at 132 sites Phase 3 Karuna Therapeutics, Inc., a Bristol Myers Squibb company · Homewood, Alabama and 431 other locations · NCT05980949

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.