---
title: Improve cognitive function with tributyrin
nct_id: NCT07154511
phase: PHASE1, PHASE2
status: RECRUITING
sponsor: Prabesh Kanel
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT07154511"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07154511"
last_fetched: "2026-05-10T14:05:34.616Z"
source: "Parkinson's Pathways (curated)"
---
# Improve cognitive function with tributyrin

**Goal (in five words):** Improve cognitive function with tributyrin

**Official Title:** Phase 2 Trial of Tributyrin in People With Parkinson's Disease and Cognitive Impairments

**Trial ID:** [NCT07154511](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07154511)

## Key Facts

- **Phase:** PHASE1, PHASE2
- **Status:** RECRUITING
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Sponsor:** Prabesh Kanel
- **Target Enrollment:** 45 participants
- **Start Date:** 2025-11-07
- **Completion Date:** 2027-05
- **Conditions:** Parkinson Disease, Parkinson Disease Dementia
- **Interventions:** Tributyrin, Placebo
- **Intervention Types:** DRUG

## Summary For Families

The trial is testing whether tributyrin can help with the thinking and memory problems that occur in people with Parkinson's, including mild cognitive impairment and Parkinson's disease dementia. Tributyrin is an oral prodrug that raises levels of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that can reduce neuroinflammation, support neuronal health, and change gene activity through histone deacetylase inhibition; participants will receive tributyrin or placebo while staying on their usual Parkinson's medicines, since it is not a dopaminergic replacement and the study expects stable PD medication regimens. Adults 45 and older with Parkinson's plus mild cognitive impairment or PDD can join, provided they can have MRI, do not have atypical parkinsonism or major uncontrolled medical or GI issues, are not regularly using anticholinergic drugs, and are not pregnant or suicidal.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 45 Years
- **Sex:** ALL

### Full Criteria

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or Female, age 45 years and over.
* Diagnosis of PD based on the United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank Diagnostic Research Criteria (Hughes et al., 1992) AND evidence of mild cognitive impairment (Litvan et al., 2012) OR Diagnosis of PDD (Emre et al., 2007).
* If taking cholinesterase inhibitors, benzodiazepines, memantine, or anti-psychotic medications, on a stable regimen as defined by no medication changes for these drugs in prior 4 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Evidence of atypical parkinsonism.
* Contra-indications to MR imaging including but not limited to pacemakers, aneurysm clips, intraocular metal, cochlear implant, or severe claustrophobia.
* Evidence of large vessel stroke or mass lesion on MRI.
* Regular use of typical anti-cholinergic drugs.
* Recent history of significant, uncontrolled GI disease such as GERD, colorectal cancer.
* Significant metabolic or uncontrolled medical comorbidity.
* Pregnant or nursing.
* Suicidal ideation, as indicated by a response of 2 or 3 on question 9 of the Beck Depression Inventory.
* Any other condition or criterion that would preclude safe and meaningful participation in the study.
```

## Locations (1)

- Domino's Farms, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States _(42.2776, -83.7409)_
  - Robert Vangel, BSc — (CONTACT) — 734-936-1168 — rvangel@med.umich.edu
  - Prabesh Kanel, PhD — (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)
  - Nicolaas Bohnen, MD, PhD — (SUB_INVESTIGATOR)

## Central Contacts

- Robert Vangel, BSc — (CONTACT) — 734-936-1168 — rvangel@med.umich.edu

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT07154511*  
*HTML version: https://parkinsonspathways.com/trial/NCT07154511*  
*Source data: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07154511*