Chronic Postconcussive Headache: A Placebo-Controlled Treatment Trial of Prazosin

Sponsor

VA Office of Research and Development (U.S. Fed)

Overall Status

Recruiting

CT.gov ID

NCT02266329

Collaborator

(none)

228

Enrollment

Location

Arms

92.8

Anticipated Duration (Months)

2.5

Patients Per Site Per Month

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if prazosin is more effective than placebo in decreasing frequency, severity, disability, and other negative effects of headaches related to mild traumatic brain injury in Service Members and Veterans.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Posttraumatic Headache Combat Disorders Post Concussion Syndrome Headache Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Posttraumatic Migraine	Drug: prazosin hydrochloride Drug: placebo	Phase 1/Phase 2

Detailed Description

Headaches following combat-related post-concussive injury are common, and in some patients can increase in frequency and severity to become very debilitating. Posttraumatic headaches (PTHAs), particularly those following blast-related head injury, can be resistant to standard headache therapies. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication prazosin as a prophylactic (preventive) agent in treating combat-related PTHAs. Prazosin is a generic drug originally marketed over 30 years ago as a treatment for high blood pressure. It has subsequently been found to be safe and effective for treating other problems, including most recently posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and disrupted sleep in active duty Iraq/Afghanistan Service Members and Veterans. In preliminary studies, prazosin has also been found to substantially reduce the intensity and frequency of PTHAs in this population. This finding is the motivation behind this study.

The investigators' hypotheses are (1) that prazosin will be more effective than placebo in easing the effects of chronic PTHAs, including headache frequency, duration, severity, use of abortive/analgesic medications, and disability caused, and (2) that improvement in headache parameters will be associated with improvement in sleep quality, PTSD symptom severity, mood, cognition, health-related quality of life, and global clinical status, and with moderation of alcohol consumption.

The total trial length is 22 - 24 weeks. Following an initial clinic visit to determine preliminary study eligibility, there will be a 4-week pre-treatment preliminary screening period, during which participants will keep a daily headache diary. The purpose of this is to confirm eligibility for randomization per inclusion/exclusion criteria and to collect baseline data for headache-related outcome measures. Participants confirmed to be eligible to continue in the study will then have a one-week sleep evaluation including actigraphy and keeping a daily sleep diary. This will be followed by a baseline study visit, during which baseline data for secondary outcome measures will be collected using validated structured self-reports and clinician interviews. Participants will be randomized 2:1 to prazosin or placebo, and the study drug dose will be gradually titrated over a 5 to 7-week period to 5 mg in the morning and 20 mg in the evening or the maximum tolerated dose. The dose titration will be followed by 12 weeks at steady-dose. For the last week of the steady-dose phase, participants will repeat the sleep evaluation. Participants will keep a headache log through the duration of the study. Results will be analyzed using standard statistical techniques.

Study Design

Study Type:

Interventional

Anticipated Enrollment :

228 participants

Allocation:

Randomized

Intervention Model:

Parallel Assignment

Intervention Model Description:

Randomized double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial with 2:1 chance of randomization to active drug.Randomized double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial with 2:1 chance of randomization to active drug.

Masking:

Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Primary Purpose:

Treatment

Official Title:

Chronic Postconcussive Headache: A Placebo-Controlled Treatment Trial of Prazosin

Actual Study Start Date :

Jan 4, 2016

Anticipated Primary Completion Date :

Sep 30, 2022

Anticipated Study Completion Date :

Sep 30, 2023

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/Treatment
Active Comparator: prazosin Subjects will be gradually titrated up to the maximum dose or the maximum tolerated dose based on a dosing algorithm. The maximum dose to be used in this trial is 5mg in the morning and 20 mg at bedtime.	Drug: prazosin hydrochloride Prazosin as oral capsules titrated to the maximum dose or the maximum tolerated dose based on a dosing algorithm. The maximum dose to be used in this trial is 5mg in the morning and 20 mg at bedtime. Other Names: Minipress
Placebo Comparator: placebo Subjects will be gradually titrated up to the maximum dose or the maximum tolerated dose based on a dosing algorithm. The maximum dose to be used in this trial is 5mg in the morning and 20 mg at bedtime.	Drug: placebo Oral capsules of placebo identical in appearance to prazosin capsules titrated in the same manner as prazosin. Other Names: inactive drug; sugar pill; dummy pill

Arm

Intervention/Treatment

Active Comparator: prazosin

Subjects will be gradually titrated up to the maximum dose or the maximum tolerated dose based on a dosing algorithm. The maximum dose to be used in this trial is 5mg in the morning and 20 mg at bedtime.

Drug: prazosin hydrochloride

Prazosin as oral capsules titrated to the maximum dose or the maximum tolerated dose based on a dosing algorithm. The maximum dose to be used in this trial is 5mg in the morning and 20 mg at bedtime.

Other Names:

Minipress

Placebo Comparator: placebo

Drug: placebo

Oral capsules of placebo identical in appearance to prazosin capsules titrated in the same manner as prazosin.

Other Names:

inactive drug; sugar pill; dummy pill

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

Change from Baseline in Headache (HA) Frequency [Baseline to 12 weeks]
Change from baseline (pre-treatment) to Week 12 (i.e., following 12 weeks of drug treatment) in average 4-week frequency of either 1) HAs that last 4 or more hours a day and reach a moderate to severe intensity at any point or 2) HAs of any intensity if a medication or other treatment is used in an effort to stop the HA, as determined from Headache Log data.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Change from Baseline in 4-week Average Peak HA Severity [Baseline to 12 weeks]
Change from baseline (pre-treatment) to Week 12 (i.e., following 12 weeks of drug treatment) in 4-week average peak HA severity, as determined from Headache Log data.
Change from Baseline in 4-week Average Total Number of Hours of HA Pain [Baseline to 12 weeks]
Change from baseline (pre-treatment) to Week 12 (i.e., following 12 weeks of drug treatment) in 4-week average total number of hours of HA pain of any severity, as determined from Headache Log data.
Change from Baseline in Frequency of Use of Abortive/Analgesic Agents [Baseline to 12 weeks]
Change from baseline (pre-treatment) to Week 12 (i.e., following 12 weeks of drug treatment) in 4-week average frequency of use of abortive and/or analgesic HA treatment medications, as determined from Headache Log data.
Change from Baseline in Headache-Related Disability [Baseline to 12 weeks]
Change from baseline (pre-treatment) in average headache-related disability, as measured 1) in 4-week treatment intervals using the Headache Impact Test-6 and 2) in the full 12-week treatment interval using the Migraine Disability Assessment (for subjects who meet diagnostic criteria for migraine).
Change from Baseline in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms [Baseline to 12 weeks]
Change from baseline (pre-treatment) in PTSD symptom severity, as measured using the PTSD Checklist (PCL) given at baseline and at 4-week treatment intervals.
Change from Baseline in Sleep measures [Baseline to 12 weeks]
Change from baseline (pretreatment) in sleep characteristics, including sleep quality, quantity, and efficiency using 1) the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Insomnia Severity Index given at baseline and at 4-week treatment intervals and 2) sleep diary and wrist actigraphy performed for one week at baseline and after 11 weeks of treatment
Change from Baseline in Concussion-Related Symptoms [Baseline to 12 weeks]
Change from baseline (pre-treatment) in concussion-related symptoms, as measured at 4-week treatment intervals using the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory
Change from Baseline in Depressive Symptoms [Baseline to 12 weeks]
Change from baseline (pre-treatment) in depressive symptoms, as measured at 4-week treatment intervals using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.
Change from Baseline in Alcohol Use [Baseline to 12 weeks]
Change from baseline (pre-treatment) in alcohol use, as measured at 4-week treatment intervals using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption.
Change from Baseline in Global Cognitive Function [Baseline to 12 weeks]
Change from baseline (pre-treatment) in cognitive function, as measured at 4-week treatment intervals using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
Change from Baseline in Pupillary Light Responses [Baseline to 12 weeks]
Change from baseline (pre-treatment) to Week 12 (i.e., following 12 weeks of drug treatment) in pupillary light responses using pupillometry, as a measure of sympathetic activation.
Photophobia [Baseline to 12 weeks]
Change from baseline (pre-treatment) to Week 12 (i.e., following 12 weeks of drug treatment) in light sensitivity symptoms, as determined using a modified Utah Photophobia Symptom Impact Scale - 12-Item)
Number of Patients with a 50% or More Decrease in Mean Number of Headache Days per 4 Weeks [Baseline to 12 weeks]
Number of patients with a 50% or more decrease in mean number of headache days per 4 weeks, as determined at 4 week treatment intervals using Headache Log data.

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and Older

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Inclusion Criteria:

Veterans or active duty service members aged 18 or older of either gender
Good general health
History of blast and/or impact head/neck trauma meeting DVBIC criteria for mild TBI, i.e., injury as manifested by at least one of the following:
1. any period of loss of consciousness
1. any loss of memory for events immediately before or after the accident
1. any alteration in mental status at the time of the accident (e.g., feeling dazed, disoriented, or confused)
1. focal neurological deficit(s) that may or may not be transient, with severity of injury not exceeding loss of consciousness 30 minutes, Glasgow Coma Scale <13-15 after 30 minutes, or posttraumatic amnesia >24 hrs,
Headaches that started within 3 months of a head/neck injury or pre-existing headaches that markedly worsened (by a two-fold or greater increase in frequency and/or severity) within 3 months of a head/neck injury. Headaches must either 1) last 4 or more hours a day and reach a moderate to severe intensity at any point during the headache or 2) may be of any severity or duration if the participant uses a medication or other agent in an effort to stop the headache. Headaches meeting these criteria must have been present on average at least 8 days per 4-week period over the 3 months preceding study enrollment.
Comorbid PTSD or other anxiety disorder is not exclusionary.
Fluency in English is required.
Persons of all races and ethnicities are eligible.
Female participants must agree to abstain from sexual relations that could result in pregnancy or use a reliable form of birth control during the study.
Continued use of prophylactic migraine medication other than the study drug is permissible if the participant has been on a stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to the preliminary screening period and intends to continue the medication for the duration of the trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

Participation in other interventional research.
History of TBI more severe than that classified as mild by DVBIC criteria
A primary non migraine and/or tension-type headache disorder that accounts for the majority of current symptoms
History of penetrating head injury
Headaches of any kind of moderate or severe intensity on an average of more than 4 days per month preceding the concussive trauma
Acute or unstable chronic medical illness (e.g., unstable angina, myocardial infarction within 6 months, congestive heart failure, symptomatic or concerning cardiac arrhythmias; pre-existing hypotension (systolic BP<110) or orthostatic hypotension (systolic drop >20 mm mercury (Hg) after 2 min standing accompanied by lightheadedness). Also exclusionary are chronic renal or hepatic failure, Meniere's disease, insulin-dependent diabetes, diagnosed but untreated sleep apnea, history of epilepsy, stroke, dementia, active psychosis or psychotic disorder, severe depression, severe psychiatric instability or severe situational life crises, including evidence of being actively suicidal or homicidal, dementia, delirium within the prior 3 months. Other conditions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Current substance use disorder per DSM-V criteria except caffeine- or tobacco-related disorders.
Structural brain abnormalities on any prior imaging with associated clinically evident manifestations.
Current participation in transcranial magnetic stimulation studies.
Unable to reliably keep the headache log on a minimum of 80% of recordable days
Women of childbearing potential must not be pregnant, planning to become pregnant during the study period, or nursing.
Participation in a headache support group or other activity such as meditation or yoga intended to mitigate headache or other chronic pain must be stable for at least 4 weeks prior to beginning the preliminary screening period and should be intended to be continued for the duration of the trial. Participants will be encouraged to defer enrolling in such activities until they have completed the treatment trial.

Medication Exclusions:

Current use of prazosin at a dose of >2 mg or other alpha-1 antagonist for any purpose
Use of prazosin at a dose of 2 mg or less is not excluded, however there will be a 2-week wash-out period prior to beginning the baseline headache log-keeping period.
Allergy or previous adverse reaction to prazosin or other alpha-1 antagonist
Subjects must be on a stable dose of the following medications/treatments for at least 4 weeks prior to the preliminary screening period, and must intend to continue the medication for the duration of the trial: psychoactive drugs, for example anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, sedative/hypnotics; antihypertensive medications, including beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers; magnesium prescribed specifically for headache.
Potential participants who have been taking trazodone will undergo a 2-week washout period before beginning the preliminary screening period. Because combining prazosin and trazodone may increase risk of priapism, trazodone is not allowed during the study.
Sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra) will not be permitted during the dose titration period, because of increased risk of hypotension in combination with alpha-1 blockers, but will be allowed at half the usual starting dose following the study drug dose titration period, per VA prescribing guidelines.
Use of butalbital within 4 weeks of beginning the preliminary screening period through the end of study involvement.
Use of supplements containing nitrates and supplements containing stimulants (such as ephedra) within 2 weeks of beginning the preliminary screening period through the end of study involvement.
Use of prescribed stimulants (such as amphetamine or dextroamphetamine containing medications) within 2 weeks of beginning the preliminary screening period through the end of study involvement.