Testing a seizure medication to prevent early Alzheimer's disease

Plain-English translation of NCT07477431 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated July 2026 · Translation generated August 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.

What is this trial?

This study is testing whether levetiracetam, a medication commonly used to treat seizures, can reduce abnormal activity in the memory center of the brain (the hippocampus) in people who are cognitively normal but at risk for Alzheimer's disease. Researchers have found that this type of brain overactivity happens years before memory problems start to show, and early treatment with this medication might help prevent those symptoms from developing.

Changes in the brain that lead to Alzheimer's disease begin long before a person notices any memory loss. By detecting and treating this abnormal brain activity early—before symptoms appear—this medication might help prevent or delay the disease from developing.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 55 and 85 years old
you have normal memory and thinking skills on cognitive testing
you have risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, such as family history, genetic markers, or biomarkers showing early disease changes
you have been identified on brain imaging as having the specific type of overactivity in your memory center that this study targets
you are fluent in English and able to complete cognitive testing
you are willing to commit to about 6 months of study visits and procedures

You likely don't qualify if…

you have any type of cognitive impairment or memory problems
you have a history of seizures, epilepsy, or stroke
you have significant untreated depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or recent thoughts of suicide
you are allergic to levetiracetam or any ingredients in the study drug
you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse within the past 2 years

What participation looks like

If you qualify, you will be randomly assigned to receive either the medication or a placebo (a pill with no active ingredient) for the first 3 months, then switch to the other for the next 3 months. Neither you nor the study staff will know which you're receiving at any time. Over the 6 months, you'll have several visits involving memory and thinking tests, brain scans (MRI and specialized EEG scans), blood tests, and physical exams to track any changes in your brain activity and overall health.

Testing a seizure medication to prevent early Alzheimer's disease

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(2 sites)