VALZ-Pilot: High-dose valacyclovir treatment in patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) may be involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. The antiviral valacyclovir inhibits HSV replication.

This phase-II pilot trial involved valacyclovir administration (thrice daily, 500 mg week 1, 1000 mg weeks 2-4) to persons aged ≥ 65 years with early-stage AD, anti-HSV immunoglobulin G, and apolipoprotein E ε4. Intervention safety, tolerability, feasibility, and effects on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers were evaluated.

Thirty-two of 33 subjects completed the trial on full dosage. Eighteen percent experienced likely intervention-related mild, temporary adverse events. CSF acyclovir concentrations were mean 5.29 ± 2.31 μmol/L. CSF total tau and neurofilament light concentrations were unchanged; MMSE score and CSF soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 concentrations increased (P = .02 and .03).

Four weeks of high-dose valacyclovir treatment was safe, tolerable, and feasible in early-stage AD. Our findings may guide future trial design.