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Mild Cognitive ImpairmentJOY-ALZNCT06889818

Korean Joint Registry for Alzheimer's Treatment and Diagnostics (JOY-ALZ)

An observational study of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia, run by Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital at 3 sites in South Korea.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this research is to investigate the long-term effectiveness and safety of new Alzheimer's disease treatments, particularly monoclonal antibody therapies like lecanemab and donanemab, as well as to enhance diagnostic methods for Alzheimer's disease by collecting real-world data from Korean Alzheimer's… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 19 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
How many people
4,000 participants
Where
3 sitesSouth Korea
Study dates
24 Feb 2025to 31 Dec 2034
How long will I take part?
10 Years
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 19 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: Approximately 40 medical institutions nationwide are expected to participate in the study over a period of 10 years, with about 4,000 participants in total. Our institution anticipates the participation of approximately 100 subjects. Participants in this study are adults with Alzheimer's disease dementia, mild cognitive impairment, or normal cognitive function (including subjective cognitive decline) who are undergoing medical evaluation for newly approved Alzheimer's disease medications after 2021, have made the decision to initiate treatment with these medications, or have already begun treatment with these newly approved Alzheimer's disease medications.

Who may be able to join

  • Participants must be 19 years of age or older at the time of informed consent.
  • Patients who are undergoing medical evaluation for newly approved Alzheimer's disease medications after 2021, patients who have decided to initiate treatment with these medications in consultation with their physician after 2021, or patients who have already started treatment with newly approved Alzheimer's disease medications after 2021.
  • Patients who have undergone an amyloid PET scan to confirm Alzheimer's disease pathology, or cerebrospinal fluid testing for Aβ42 and ptau181.
  • Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, defined as follows:
  • <!-- -->
  • [Alzheimer's Disease Dementia (ADD)] - Must meet the criteria for probable Alzheimer's dementia as defined by the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association working groups (NIA-AA).
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  • Must exhibit cognitive decline that impairs independent daily living.
  • [Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)]
  • Must meet NIA-AA diagnostic criteria for MCI.
  • The subject or informant must report cognitive decline.
  • Performance on delayed recall of verbal memory must be more than -1.0 SD below the age- and education-adjusted normative mean, or scores on any one or more tests of executive function, language, visuospatial abilities, or attention must be more than -1.5 SD below the age- and education-adjusted normative mean.
  • Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR) of 0.5.
  • Maintenance of independent daily living ability.
  • Not categorized as dementia.
  • [Cognitively Unimpaired (CU)]
  • Delayed recall of verbal memory must be at or above -1.0 SD versus the age- and education-adjusted normative mean, and all executive function, language, visuospatial abilities, and attention tests must be at or above -1.5 SD versus the age- and education-adjusted normative mean.
  • Maintenance of independent daily living ability.
  • If the subject reports cognitive decline, they will be classified as having Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD).
  • 5. Patients must be ambulatory (use of mobility aids is acceptable). 6. The subject must provide written informed consent to participate in the study. In the case of dementia patients, additional written consent from a guardian is required.

Who cannot join

  • Presence of significant psychiatric disorders associated with intellectual disability, schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, delirium, etc.
  • History of substance abuse or alcohol dependence that required treatment within the past five years.
  • A current diagnosis of cancer that has not achieved remission within the past five years. However, localized prostate cancer, cervical carcinoma in situ, non-melanoma skin basal cell carcinoma, or squamous cell carcinoma are excluded.
  • Evidence of severe or unstable physical conditions (e.g., dialysis, severe liver disease).
  • Visual or auditory impairments that prevent the satisfactory assessment of cognitive function.
  • Inability to perform MRI due to the presence of metallic substances in the body.
  • Currently participating in another drug clinical trial.
  • Currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

Trial locations and contacts

3 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

South Korea3 sites, 3 recruiting
  • Gachon University Gil medical Center

    Incheon, 21565

    Kee-hyung Park, 82-2-587-7462, khpark@gachon.ac.kr

    Kee-hyung Park

    Recruiting
  • Inha University Hospital

    Incheon, 22332

    Seonghye Choi, 82-2-587-7462, seonghye@inha.ac.kr

    Seong-hye Choi

    Recruiting
  • Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital

    Seoul, 07985

    Geon-ha Kim, 82-2-587-7462, geonha@ewha.ac.kr

    Geon-ha Kim

    Not yet recruiting

Other trials in South Korea

About this study

The purpose of this research is to investigate the long-term effectiveness and safety of new Alzheimer's disease treatments, particularly monoclonal antibody therapies like lecanemab and donanemab, as well as to enhance diagnostic methods for Alzheimer's disease by collecting real-world data from Korean Alzheimer's patients. The goal is to contribute to the precision of Alzheimer's treatment and to evaluate the impact of these new therapies and diagnostic techniques in clinical practice.

Read the detailed description

In 2024, it is estimated that there will be over 1 million individuals aged 65 and older with dementia in South Korea, with national dementia care costs exceeding approximately 17 trillion KRW (0.9% of GDP). South Korea is experiencing rapid population aging, leading to a projected significant increase in both the number of patients and the associated socio-economic costs. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and cognitive impairment in the elderly, characterized by the abnormal accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau proteins in the brain. Research has shown that beta-amyloid protein begins to accumulate in the brain over 20 years before the onset of memory impairment symptoms. Consequently, Alzheimer's disease progresses through a prolonged asymptomatic stage of normal cognitive function (cognitively unimpaired, CU) to subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia.

In May 2024, the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved lecanemab for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Recent advancements have been made in the development of new treatments and diagnostic methods for Alzheimer's disease, with some already approved for use in South Korea or anticipated to receive approval soon. These developments are expected to significantly impact the management of dementia and cognitive impairment patients in the near future. Among the new treatments, monoclonal antibody injections targeting the core pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease, which is the removal of beta-amyloid protein (e.g., lecanemab, donanemab), currently lack long-term efficacy data, providing only 1-2 years of investigatory data in clinical trials. Such medications may have side effects, including amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) such as brain edema or microbleeding and infusion-related adverse reactions. For the advancement of precise treatments for Alzheimer's disease, it is essential to monitor long-term effects and side effects of these drugs in clinical practice to collect and analyze more extensive clinical data to establish additional clinical evidence.

Moreover, the phase 3 clinical trial data for lecanemab suggests that the drug's effectiveness and side effects may vary by ethnicity. Recently, a diagnostic technique that measures Elecsys beta-amyloid 42 (Aβ42) and Elecsys Phospho-Tau181 (ptau181) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has received approval from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, there is a strong potential for new diagnostic methods that measure proteins such as ptau217, ptau181, and Aβ42 in blood to be commercialized in clinical practice. Future advancements through real-world data collection on these new diagnostic methods will be necessary.

The Alzheimer's Association (AA) and researchers in the United States have initiated a registry study named the Alzheimer's Network for Treatment and Diagnostics (ALZ-NET) to collect real-world data on new treatments and diagnostic methods for Alzheimer's disease. Longitudinal studies to investigate the long-term effectiveness and safety of new treatments and diagnostic methods in Alzheimer's patients are also being established in countries such as Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, and Europe. In response to these changes in Alzheimer's disease management, the researchers aim to contribute to the precision of Alzheimer's treatment and the enhancement of new diagnostic methods by collecting real-world data from Korean Alzheimer's patients regarding the long-term effectiveness and safety of new therapies.

Keywords
Real World Data, Lecanemab
Medical subject headings
Cognitive Dysfunction, Dementia, Alzheimer Disease

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

Study groups in NCT06889818
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Open Label RegistryCollection of real-world data from enrolled patients being evaluated for or receiving novel Korea MFDS-approved Alzheimer's disease treatments and diagnostics

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change from baseline in the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination-2 (K-MMSE-2) total score

    This test consists of orientation to time and place, three-word recall, subtracting 7 from 100 in succession, overlapping pentagon drawing, command execution, reading, writing, repeating, and naming. The score ranges from 0 to 30.

    Measured: Up to 10 years

  2. Change from baseline in the Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (K-MOCA) total score

    This assessment evaluates memory, language, executive function, visuospatial construction, reasoning, and attention, with a scoring range of 0-30 points where higher scores indicate better cognitive function.

    Measured: Up to 10 years

  3. Change from baseline in the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR) total score

    Scores include a Global CDR (0-3 points) and a CDR-Sum of Boxes (SB) which sums the scores of the six domains (0-18 points). Higher scores indicate worse cognitive function.

    Measured: Up to 10 years

  4. Change from baseline in the Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ) total score

    The informant evaluates the subject, with a score range of 0-30, where higher scores indicate a decline in daily functioning. A score of 9 or more suggests significant deterioration in daily functioning.

    Measured: Up to 10 years

  5. Change from baseline in the Korean version of the Alzheimer disease 8 (K-AD8) total score

    The score ranges from 0 to 8, where higher scores indicate more severe cognitive impairment.

    Measured: Up to 10 years

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

    Data will be collected to diagnose cognitive impairment and to assess for emergence of amyloid related imaging abnormalities.

    Measured: Up to 10 years

  2. Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers

    Data from past amyloid Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans will be collected for the diagnosis of AD. Results for cerebrospinal fluid assays of Elecsys Aβ42, Elecsys ptau181, and ptau181/Aβ42 will also be collected. A ptau181/Aβ42 ratio greater than 0.023 indicates a suggestion of AD.

    Measured: Up to 10 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted21 Mar 2025
  2. Study start24 Feb 2025
  3. Primary completion31 Dec 2034 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Dec 2034 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Case only
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
4,000 participants (estimated)
Target duration
10 Years
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06889818
Sponsor's protocol ID
JOY-ALZ
Acronym
JOY-ALZ
Status last verified
Feb 2025
First submitted
14 Mar 2025
Last updated
21 Mar 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Data will be shared with Eisai and gAAIN.

Publications

  • Kim GH, Pyun JM, Kang D, Kang SH, Koh SH, Kim JS, Moon SY, Moon WJ, Park YH, Shim Y, Yang DW, Youn YC, Jung YH, Cho H, Choi H, Lim JS, Park KH, Choi SH. A Protocol of Korean JOint RegistrY for ALZheimer's Treatment and Diagnostics (JOY-ALZ). Dement Neurocogn Disord. 2026 Jan;25(1):25-41. doi: 10.12779/dnd.2026.25.1.25. Epub 2026 Jan 15.

    PubMed 41657474

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia, run by Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital at 3 sites in South Korea.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 19 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Mar 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 3 sites in South Korea. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Geon-ha Kim (82-2-587-7462, geonha@ewha.ac.kr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change from baseline in the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination-2 (K-MMSE-2) total score (time frame: Up to 10 years). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06889818, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Mar 2025.

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