Trial Outcomes & Findings for A Study to Evaluate the Effect of SAGE-718 on Cognitive Function in Participants With Huntington's Disease (HD) (NCT NCT05107128)

NCT ID: NCT05107128

Last Updated: 2025-09-15

Results Overview

The SDMT evaluates the tracking of cognitive function over time and for the early detection of cognitive impairment. The test assesses sustained attention, processing speed, visual scanning, and psychomotor speed, with the total score reflecting the number of correct pairings (out of 110 possible) completed within 90 seconds. Scores range from 0 to 110, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE2

Target enrollment

189 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline, Day 84

Results posted on

2025-09-15

Participant Flow

Participants took part in the study at investigative sites from 26 January 2022 to 03 October 2024.

A total of 309 participants with Huntington's disease (HD) were screened, of which 189 participants were randomized to receive either SAGE-718 or placebo.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Placebo
Participants received SAGE-718-matching placebo, orally, once daily (QD) for up to Day 84.
SAGE-718
Participants received SAGE-718, 1.2 milligrams (mg), capsules, orally, QD for Days 1 to 27, followed by 0.9 mg for the remainder of the treatment period up to Day 84.
Overall Study
STARTED
94
95
Overall Study
COMPLETED
87
91
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
7
4

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Placebo
Participants received SAGE-718-matching placebo, orally, once daily (QD) for up to Day 84.
SAGE-718
Participants received SAGE-718, 1.2 milligrams (mg), capsules, orally, QD for Days 1 to 27, followed by 0.9 mg for the remainder of the treatment period up to Day 84.
Overall Study
Adverse Event
2
0
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
3
3
Overall Study
Withdrawal of Consent
0
1
Overall Study
Reason Not Specified
2
0

Baseline Characteristics

A Study to Evaluate the Effect of SAGE-718 on Cognitive Function in Participants With Huntington's Disease (HD)

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Placebo
n=94 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718-matching placebo, orally, QD for up to Day 84.
SAGE-718
n=95 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718, 1.2 mg, capsules, orally, QD for Days 1 to 27, followed by 0.9 mg for the remainder of the treatment period up to Day 84.
Total
n=189 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
52.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.71 • n=99 Participants
50.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.07 • n=107 Participants
51.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.94 • n=206 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
48 Participants
n=99 Participants
40 Participants
n=107 Participants
88 Participants
n=206 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
46 Participants
n=99 Participants
55 Participants
n=107 Participants
101 Participants
n=206 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
7 Participants
n=99 Participants
9 Participants
n=107 Participants
16 Participants
n=206 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
87 Participants
n=99 Participants
86 Participants
n=107 Participants
173 Participants
n=206 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
0 Participants
n=206 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
0 Participants
n=206 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
1 Participants
n=107 Participants
1 Participants
n=206 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
0 Participants
n=206 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
2 Participants
n=99 Participants
4 Participants
n=107 Participants
6 Participants
n=206 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
90 Participants
n=99 Participants
87 Participants
n=107 Participants
177 Participants
n=206 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
1 Participants
n=107 Participants
1 Participants
n=206 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
2 Participants
n=99 Participants
2 Participants
n=107 Participants
4 Participants
n=206 Participants
Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) Score
27.9 score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.86 • n=99 Participants
28.3 score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.24 • n=107 Participants
28.1 score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.52 • n=206 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Day 84

Population: The FAS included all participants who initiated IP and had baseline and at least 1 post-baseline efficacy evaluation. The overall number of participants analyzed indicates the number of participants with data available for this analysis.

The SDMT evaluates the tracking of cognitive function over time and for the early detection of cognitive impairment. The test assesses sustained attention, processing speed, visual scanning, and psychomotor speed, with the total score reflecting the number of correct pairings (out of 110 possible) completed within 90 seconds. Scores range from 0 to 110, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=90 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718-matching placebo, orally, QD for up to Day 84.
SAGE-718
n=93 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718, 1.2 mg, capsules, orally, QD for Days 1 to 27, followed by 0.9 mg for the remainder of the treatment period up to Day 84.
Change From Baseline in the SDMT
2.0 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.58
0.8 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.57

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Day 84

Population: The FAS included all participants who initiated IP and had baseline and at least 1 post-baseline efficacy evaluation. The overall number of participants analyzed indicates the number of participants with data available for this analysis.

The UHDRS is a multi-domain clinical rating scale for assessment of functional capacity in HD. Independence Scale, Part V of the UHDRS, is a single-item measure to assess a participant's ability to function independently in daily activities across all stages of HD. Total score ranges from 10 to 100, with higher scores indicating better functioning. Negative change from baseline indicates worsening in functional ability.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=91 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718-matching placebo, orally, QD for up to Day 84.
SAGE-718
n=93 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718, 1.2 mg, capsules, orally, QD for Days 1 to 27, followed by 0.9 mg for the remainder of the treatment period up to Day 84.
Change From Baseline in the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) - Independence Scale
-0.8 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.64
-1.5 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.63

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Day 84

Population: Participants in the FAS who completed the Trail Making Test Part B at baseline within the allowable time limit (240 seconds) were included in this analysis. Participants who exceeded the 240-second limit at baseline were excluded. The overall number of participants analyzed reflects those with baseline results within the allowable time limit and at least one post-baseline measurement.

The Trail Making test is a speeded graphomotor test of visual attention and task switching. Part B includes a set-switching component that requires participants to connect a series of alternating numbers and letters in order from lowest to highest (i.e., 1-A-2-B-3-C) in the shortest time possible. The time limit to complete the task is 240 seconds, at which point the test is stopped and scored using the maximum allowable time if not yet completed. Greater time indicates greater impairment. Negative change from baseline indicates less impairment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=65 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718-matching placebo, orally, QD for up to Day 84.
SAGE-718
n=75 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718, 1.2 mg, capsules, orally, QD for Days 1 to 27, followed by 0.9 mg for the remainder of the treatment period up to Day 84.
Change From Baseline in the Trail Making Test Part B
-5.7 seconds
Standard Error 4.41
-10.7 seconds
Standard Error 4.11

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Day 84

Population: The FAS included all participants who initiated IP and had baseline and at least 1 post-baseline efficacy evaluation. The overall number of participants analyzed indicates the number of participants with data available for this analysis.

The OTS is a computerized test of executive function to assess problem-solving and planning ability. In this task, participants are shown a set of colored balls and must determine the minimum number of moves required to match a target arrangement by moving one ball at a time into one of two available locations. The goal is to perform the task using the smallest number of moves possible. The participant selects the correct number of moves from the options shown on the screen. The time to correct response is measured. Longer times indicate greater impairment. Negative change from baseline indicates an improvement in performance.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=89 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718-matching placebo, orally, QD for up to Day 84.
SAGE-718
n=93 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718, 1.2 mg, capsules, orally, QD for Days 1 to 27, followed by 0.9 mg for the remainder of the treatment period up to Day 84.
Change From Baseline in the One Touch Stockings of Cambridge (OTS-Mean Latency Until Correct Response)
-4.56 seconds
Standard Error 0.90
-3.85 seconds
Standard Error 0.88

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Day 84

Population: The FAS included all participants who initiated IP and had baseline and at least 1 post-baseline efficacy evaluation. The overall number of participants analyzed indicates the number of participants with data available for this analysis.

The PTAP is a test of motor timing in which participants synchronize their finger taps with auditory pacing tones during an initial paced phase. This is followed by a self-paced phase, where the tones are removed, and the participant continues tapping until a final auditory cue signals the end of the test. The primary outcome is paced tapping consistency, calculated as the inverse of the standard deviation of the intertap intervals per millisecond (1/msec), with no range specified. Higher values indicate greater timing accuracy.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=90 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718-matching placebo, orally, QD for up to Day 84.
SAGE-718
n=92 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718, 1.2 mg, capsules, orally, QD for Days 1 to 27, followed by 0.9 mg for the remainder of the treatment period up to Day 84.
Change From Baseline in the Paced Tapping Test (PTAP)
0.710 1/msec
Standard Error 0.4552
-0.157 1/msec
Standard Error 0.4510

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Day 84

Population: The FAS included all participants who initiated IP and had baseline and at least 1 post-baseline efficacy evaluation. The overall number of participants analyzed indicates the number of participants with data available for this analysis.

Hi-DEF Scale: self-reported measure to capture difficulties experienced in daily life due to HD across 4 areas of functioning: At home, At work, Driving, \& Relationships. Full scale comprises 40 items which ask participants to rate their functioning difficulty using 5-point Likert scale from 1 (No Difficulty) to 5 (Cannot do this anymore) on first 3 domains (home, work \& driving), \& 4-point scale from 1 (Never) to 4 (Always)for Relationships. Hi-DEF total score ranges from 0-154, higher score=greater difficulty. For Home subdomain, before scores can be calculated, data from item responses should be rescored so as: lowest item-level score=0 \& highest item-level score= 4. Hence, Home subdomain has 15 items scored on 5-point Likert scale, 0 indicating no difficulty \& 4 indicating cannot be done anymore, where total raw score of 0-60 are transformed to 0-100. Higher score=greater difficulty. Negative change from baseline=improvement in daily functioning.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=86 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718-matching placebo, orally, QD for up to Day 84.
SAGE-718
n=92 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718, 1.2 mg, capsules, orally, QD for Days 1 to 27, followed by 0.9 mg for the remainder of the treatment period up to Day 84.
Change From Baseline in the Huntington's Disease Everyday Functioning (Hi-DEF) Home Subdomain Score
-4.6 score on a scale
Standard Error 1.26
-0.7 score on a scale
Standard Error 1.23

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Day 84

Population: The FAS included all participants who initiated IP and had baseline and at least 1 post-baseline efficacy evaluation. The overall number of participants analyzed indicates the number of participants with data available for this analysis.

The CGI-S scale is a validated instrument developed by the National Institute of Mental Health specifically for use in clinical studies. Cognitive Status Subdomain is one of clinical global impression severity scales domains, for which clinicians generate ratings of the severity of the participant's condition over the past 7 days (including the day of the clinic visit). The responses are scored on a scale ranging from 0 (normal - no symptoms present) to 6 (severely disabled; helpless; complete assistance needed). Higher scores indicate greater disease symptom severity. Negative change from baseline indicates an improvement in the participant's condition.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=90 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718-matching placebo, orally, QD for up to Day 84.
SAGE-718
n=93 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718, 1.2 mg, capsules, orally, QD for Days 1 to 27, followed by 0.9 mg for the remainder of the treatment period up to Day 84.
Change From Baseline in the Clinical Global Impression - Severity (CGI-S) Cognitive Status Subdomain Score
-0.0 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.07
-0.1 score on a scale
Standard Error 0.07

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)

Population: The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.

An adverse event (AE) is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant or clinical investigation participant administered a pharmaceutical product that does not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment. A TEAE is defined as an AE with onset after the start of the IP, or any worsening of a pre-existing medical condition/AE with onset after the start of the IP and throughout the study.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=94 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718-matching placebo, orally, QD for up to Day 84.
SAGE-718
n=95 Participants
Participants received SAGE-718, 1.2 mg, capsules, orally, QD for Days 1 to 27, followed by 0.9 mg for the remainder of the treatment period up to Day 84.
Percentage of Participants With Treatment-emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)
75.5 percentage of participants
62.1 percentage of participants

Adverse Events

Placebo

Serious events: 6 serious events
Other events: 29 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

SAGE-718

Serious events: 3 serious events
Other events: 18 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
Placebo
n=94 participants at risk
Participants received SAGE-718-matching placebo, orally, QD for up to Day 84.
SAGE-718
n=95 participants at risk
Participants received SAGE-718, 1.2 mg, capsules, orally, QD for Days 1 to 27, followed by 0.9 mg for the remainder of the treatment period up to Day 84.
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Fall
2.1%
2/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
2.1%
2/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Ankle fracture
0.00%
0/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
1.1%
1/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Hip fracture
0.00%
0/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
1.1%
1/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Humerus fracture
1.1%
1/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
0.00%
0/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Thoracic vertebral fracture
1.1%
1/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
0.00%
0/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Musculoskeletal chest pain
0.00%
0/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
1.1%
1/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
Psychiatric disorders
Suicidal ideation
1.1%
1/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
0.00%
0/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
Psychiatric disorders
Suicide attempt
1.1%
1/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
0.00%
0/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
Infections and infestations
Pneumonia
1.1%
1/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
0.00%
0/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
Nervous system disorders
Migraine
1.1%
1/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
0.00%
0/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Placebo
n=94 participants at risk
Participants received SAGE-718-matching placebo, orally, QD for up to Day 84.
SAGE-718
n=95 participants at risk
Participants received SAGE-718, 1.2 mg, capsules, orally, QD for Days 1 to 27, followed by 0.9 mg for the remainder of the treatment period up to Day 84.
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Fall
10.6%
10/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
11.6%
11/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
10.6%
10/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
2.1%
2/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
Psychiatric disorders
Irritability
7.4%
7/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
2.1%
2/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
Infections and infestations
Nasopharyngitis
6.4%
6/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
2.1%
2/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
Psychiatric disorders
Suicidal ideation
5.3%
5/94 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.
1.1%
1/95 • Up to last follow-up visit (up to Day 112)
The safety analysis set included all participants who were administered IP.

Additional Information

Amy Bullock, PhD

Sage Therapeutics

Phone: 617-949-5151

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee The PI can either be a party and subject to the same restrictions as the institution, or if not a party, the restrictions are described on the face of the contract (i.e., PI is a contractor of the institution; PI is part of a larger group of study personnel; institution has contracted with or otherwise bound all study personnel under confidentiality obligations and requirements to vest intellectual property to the institution).
  • Publication restrictions are in place

Restriction type: OTHER