ClinicalTrials.gg
Not yet recruitingNCT07692399Updated Jul 9, 2026

Safety and Efficacy of Edaravone Dexborneol Sublingual Tablets for Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in CADASIL

A Phase 2 interventional study of Edaravone Dexborneol Sublingual Tablets in CADASIL, sponsored by Huashan Hospital. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 80 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-09.

Sponsored by Huashan Hospital · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
60
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years to 80 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study is a single-center, prospective, single-arm, self-controlled clinical trial designed to assess the safety and efficacy of edaravone dexborneol sublingual tablets for blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction in patients with CADASIL.

The study will enroll approximately 60 participants aged 18 to 80 years with genetically confirmed CADASIL. Participants will be followed for a total duration of 12 months, including two consecutive phases.

  • Phase 1 is a 6-month natural history observation period, during which participants do not receive the study drug and continue their routine standard care for CADASIL.
  • Phase 2 is a 6-month drug intervention period, in which participants will receive edaravone dexborneol sublingual tablets to investigate the effect on the BBB water exchange rate (kw), measured by diffusion-prepared pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (DP-pCASL) MRI, and to assess potential benefits on stroke risk reduction, cognitive function, and gait performance.

The primary endpoint is the change in kw measured by DP-pCASL. Secondary endpoints include the incidence of clinical stroke events; changes in neuropsychological performance, MRI-based CSVD biomarkers, gait and motor assessments, functional disability and activities-of-daily-living scales, and peripheral blood biomarkers. Safety assessments will include adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs).

Read the detailed description

This study is a single-center, prospective, single-arm, self-controlled clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of edaravone dexborneol sublingual tablets for blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction in CADASIL patients.

  1. Background and Rationale CADASIL is the most common monogenic form of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), caused by pathogenic mutations in the NOTCH3 gene. BBB dysfunction is increasingly recognized as one of the core pathophysiological mechanisms in CADASIL, contributing to white matter injury, progressive cognitive decline, and recurrent stroke, and represents a potential therapeutic target. Edaravone Dexborneol, a novel free radical scavenger and anti-inflammatory agent, has shown neuroprotective effects in preclinical models and clinical trials for ischemic stroke. The TASTE-SL trial demonstrated that edaravone dexborneol improved 90-day functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Based on these findings, this study is designed to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of edaravone dexborneol sublingual tablets in ameliorating BBB dysfunction in patients with CADASIL, and to investigate their potential benefits in reducing stroke risk and improving cognitive function.
  2. Study Design and Methods A total of 60 participants aged 18 to 80 years with genetically confirmed CADASIL will be recruited. The primary endpoint is the change in the BBB water-exchange rate (kw), measured by diffusion-prepared pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (DP-pCASL) MRI. The trial consists of two sequential phases: during the first 6 months (natural disease observation period), participants do not receive the study drug and continue their routine standard care for CADASIL, allowing for the characterization of intra-individual natural variability of kw. During the subsequent 6 months (treatment period), all participants will receive edaravone dexborneol sublingual tablets in addition to their routine standard care, and treatment-related changes in kw will be evaluated. All participants will undergo multimodal MRI scanning at baseline, month 6, and month 12, along with comprehensive assessments including cognitive testing, clinical scales, and peripheral blood biomarkers.
  3. Significance This study is expected to fill a significant gap in pharmacological intervention research for CADASIL and provide clinical evidence supporting the potential extension of edaravone dexborneol to genetically mediated small vessel disease.
02

Conditions studied

  • CADASIL

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03

In context

CADASIL

33 studies on the registry are indexed under CADASIL; 18 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 60 is close to the median of 60 across 10 interventional studies indexed under CADASIL.

Browse CADASIL studies →

Lead sponsor

Huashan Hospital is the lead sponsor of 247 studies on the registry; 104 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 80 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • 1. Genetically Confirmed CADASIL: Diagnosis of CADASIL confirmed by NOTCH3 genetic testing.
  • 2. Age: Between 18 and 80 years.
  • 3. Lacunar Lesion Requirement: Presence of ≥1 lacune on brain MRI.
  • 4. No acute ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage within the past 3 months.
  • 5. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0 to 3.
  • 6. Requirements: Women of and male participants with female partners of childbearing potential must agree to use effective contraception during the study and 30 days after the last dose of the drug.Female participants must have a negative pregnancy test before enrollment.
  • 7. : Participants or their legal representatives must voluntarily sign an informed consent form (ICF).

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • 1. Presence of other major neurological disorders: Non-vascular white matter diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, carbon monoxide encephalopathy), central nervous system infections, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, primary Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, or intracranial tumors.
  • 2. Severe Liver Dysfunction: Active liver disease (acute hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis) or /AST >2× .
  • 3. Severe renal impairment (serum creatinine >1.5× ULN).
  • 4. \<1 year due to severe systemic diseases.
  • 5. to MRI: Participants with MRI-incompatible implants, severe claustrophobia, or inability to undergo MRI.
  • 6. Known Allergies: History of to Dexborneol, natural borneol, edaravone, or any (e.g., mannitol, copovidone, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, magnesium stearate).
  • 7. Pregnancy and Lactation: Pregnant or lactating women, or those planning pregnancy during the study period.
  • 8. Participation in Other Clinical Trials
  • 9. Other Investigator-Determined Factors: Any other medical, psychological, or social condition that, in the investigator's judgment, makes the patient unsuitable for participation.
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(10)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Contraception

Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.

Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.

Childbearing potential

Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).

Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.

Investigational drug or device

A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.

It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

ALT and AST (liver enzymes)

Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.

Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.

ULN (upper limit of normal)

The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.

“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.

Life expectancy

The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.

Contraindication

A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.

Hypersensitivity

An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.

Excipients

The other ingredients in a medicine besides the active drug, such as fillers, colours or preservatives.

05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
60 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Edaravone Dexborneol Sublingual Tablets

    All enrolled participants follow a two-phase, self-controlled schedule. During the first 6 months (natural history observation period), participants do not receive the study drug and continue their routine standard care for CADASIL. During the subsequent 6 months (treatment period), participants receive edaravone dexborneol sublingual tablet in addition to their routine standard care.

    Drug: Edaravone Dexborneol Sublingual Tablets

Interventions

  • DrugEdaravone Dexborneol Sublingual Tablets

    One tablet (containing edaravone 30 mg and dexborneol 6 mg) is taken sublingually twice daily for the 6-month treatment period.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in whole-brain blood-brain barrier water exchange rate (kw) measured by DP-pCASL MRI

    The blood-brain barrier (BBB) water exchange rate (kw), an imaging marker of BBB function, is quantified on whole-brain diffusion-prepared pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (DP-pCASL) MRI at baseline, month 6, and month 12. All participants are untreated during the first 6 months (observation period) and receive edaravone dexborneol sublingual tablets during the subsequent 6 months (treatment period). The change in kw during the observation period (baseline to Month 6) is compared with the change during the treatment period (Month 6 to Month 12) to distinguish the natural trajectory of BBB dysfunction from a potential treatment effect.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

Secondary outcomes

  1. Clinical Stroke Events

    Number and proportion of participants experiencing any stroke event, including ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke, recorded throughout the study.

    Time frame: 12 months

  2. Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score

    The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a cognitive screening tool that assesses multiple domains, including attention, concentration, executive function, memory, language, visuospatial skills, abstract thinking, calculation, and orientation. Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  3. Change in Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) Score

    Verbal episodic memory is assessed using the Huashan version of the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT-H). The test uses a list of 12 words from three semantic categories (4 words per category). The examiner reads the list aloud and the participant recalls the words immediately; this is repeated for three consecutive trials. The immediate recall score is the sum of correctly recalled words across the three trials, ranging from 0 to 36, with higher scores indicating better memory function.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  4. Change in Boston Naming Test Score

    The Boston Naming Test (BNT) is a widely used neuropsychological assessment that measures confrontation naming-the ability to retrieve and produce the correct name for a visually presented object. Boston Naming Test includes 30 items and evaluates language through measuring the total of correct responses. The minimum score is 0, and the maximum score is 30. Higher score indicates better language.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  5. Change in Stroop Color-Word Test completion time

    Inhibitory function and executive control are assessed using the Stroop Color-Word Test. In the color-word interference condition, participants name the ink color of color words while inhibiting the automatic tendency to read the word. The outcome is the completion time in seconds; shorter times indicate better executive function.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  6. Change in Stroop Color-Word Test number of correct responses

    Inhibitory function and executive control are assessed using the Stroop Color-Word Test. In the color-word interference condition, participants name the ink color of color words while inhibiting the automatic tendency to read the word. The outcome is the number of correct responses, ranging from 0 to 50, with higher scores indicating better executive function.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  7. Change in Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) Score

    The total number of correct symbol-digit pairings completed within 90 seconds (common score range: 0-105), where a higher score indicates better processing speed, sustained attention, and visual scanning.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  8. Change in Trail Making Test (TMT) Score

    The Trail Making Test (TMT) is a widely used neuropsychological test that measures processing speed, visual attention, sequencing, mental flexibility, and executive function. The score is the time it takes to complete the task. Lower times are better, while longer times indicate greater impairment.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  9. Change in Digit Span Test (DST) Score

    Digit Span Test (DST) consists of forward and backward subtests, that respectively assess attention and executive function through measuring the number of correct digit sequences. The minimum score is 0 , and the maximum scores are respectively 10 and 9 for forward and backward subtests. The total score is the sum of the forward and backward subtests, ranging from 0 to 19, with higher scores indicating better attention and working memory.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  10. Change in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) score

    The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) is a clinician-administered scale used to assess the severity of anxiety symptoms. The total score ranges from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety symptoms.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  11. Change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) score

    The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) is a widely used clinical tool for assessing the severity of depression. It consists of multiple items that evaluate various aspects of depressive symptoms, including mood, guilt, suicidal ideation, work and interest, among others. It is scored on a scale from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  12. Change in number of lacunes

    The change in the number of lacunes on brain MRI, assessed using T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and FLAIR sequences. Lacunes are markers of cerebral small vessel disease; an increased number may indicate progression of vascular pathology.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  13. Change in Number of Microbleeds

    The change in the number of cerebral microbleeds on brain MRI, assessed using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) or T2\*-weighted gradient-echo imaging. Cerebral microbleeds are markers of cerebral small vessel disease; an increased burden may indicate worsening vascular pathology.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  14. Change in White Matter Hyperintensity Volume

    The change in white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, assessed using quantitative MRI analysis and reported in milliliters (mL). This measure evaluates the impact of treatment on the progression of cerebral small vessel disease. A smaller increase or a decrease in WMH volume suggests a treatment benefit.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  15. Change in perivascular space (PVS) score

    The change in the burden of enlarged perivascular spaces on brain MRI, rated on a validated visual rating scale (0 to 4) in the basal ganglia and centrum semiovale. Enlarged perivascular spaces are markers of cerebral small vessel disease; a higher score may indicate worsening vascular pathology.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  16. Change in total brain volume

    The change in total brain volume on brain MRI, assessed using quantitative volumetric analysis of 3D T1-weighted images and reported in milliliters (mL). Loss of brain volume reflects atrophy associated with cerebral small vessel disease; a greater reduction in brain volume may indicate disease progression.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  17. Change in fractional anisotropy (FA)

    The change in fractional anisotropy (FA) derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), an index of white matter microstructural integrity. A decrease in FA reflects loss of white matter integrity and may indicate progression of cerebral small vessel disease.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  18. Change in mean diffusivity (MD)

    The change in mean diffusivity (MD) derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). An increase in MD reflects loss of white matter microstructural integrity and may indicate progression of cerebral small vessel disease.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  19. Change in peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD)

    The change in peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD) derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a fully automated marker of cerebral small vessel disease. An increase in PSMD may indicate worsening white matter damage and disease progression.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  20. Change in Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment score

    Assessed using the Tinetti Balance and Gait Evaluation. The scale consists of a balance section (9 items, max 16 points) and a gait section (7 items, max 12 points). Total scores range from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating better balance and gait, and lower fall risk.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  21. Changes in Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score

    Changes in Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score (range 0-12, with higher score indicating better physical performance).

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  22. Change in modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score

    The change in modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. The mRS is a widely used functional outcome measure that assesses the degree of disability or dependence in daily activities. The scale ranges from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (death), with higher scores indicating greater disability. An increase in mRS score suggests a worsening of functional status.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  23. Change in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale score

    The change in Lawton-Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale score. IADLs are activities that support daily life and involve interacting with one's environment, such as managing finances, medication and health, shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, communication, and community mobility. The scale is scored from 0 to 8, with higher scores indicating greater functional independence.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  24. Change in serum neurofilament light chain (NfL)

    The change in serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentration. NfL is a biomarker of neuroaxonal injury; higher levels may indicate greater neuronal damage.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  25. Change in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)

    The change in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentration. hs-CRP is a marker of systemic inflammation; higher levels may indicate a greater inflammatory burden.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  26. Change in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6)

    The change in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration. IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine; higher levels may indicate a greater inflammatory burden.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  27. Change in serum interleukin-8 (IL-8)

    The change in serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentration. IL-8 is a pro-inflammatory chemokine; higher levels may indicate a greater inflammatory burden.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  28. Change in serum interleukin-10 (IL-10)

    The change in serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentration. IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine; higher levels reflect an anti-inflammatory response.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  29. Change in serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)

    The change in serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentration. TNF-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokine; higher levels may indicate a greater inflammatory burden.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  30. Change in serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)

    The change in serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) concentration. GFAP is a biomarker of astroglial activation and injury; higher levels may indicate greater astrocytic damage.

    Time frame: Baseline, Month 6, and Month 12

  31. Adverse events

    Adverse events, confirmed by the Clinical Event Committee.

    Time frame: 12 months

  32. Serious adverse events

    Serious adverse events, confirmed by the Clinical Event Committee.

    Time frame: 12 months

  33. Liver function impairment

    Number of participants with Alanine Aminotransferase level \>2.0×upper limit of the normal

    Time frame: 12 months

  34. Renal function impairment

    Number of participants with serum creatinine \>1.5×upper limit of the normal.

    Time frame: 12 months

07

Study locations

1 site
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jul 9, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07692399
Lead sponsor
Huashan Hospital
Responsible party
Xin Cheng (Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Huashan Hospital) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jul 9, 2026
Start date
Jul 2026 (estimated)
Primary completion
Dec 2027 (estimated)
Completion
Dec 2027 (estimated)
Last update
Jul 9, 2026

Study contacts

Xin Cheng
Contact
chengxin@fudan.edu.cn
+86 021-52887145

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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