← Back to Clinical Trials
Recruiting Phase 2 NCT06727773

NCT06727773 Memantine and Exercise to Improve Cognitive Function and Modulate Biological Pathways of Cognitive Decline During Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer

◆ AI Clinical Summary
Plain-language summary for patients
Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT06727773
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 2
Sponsor UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Condition Breast Cancer
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 90 participants
Start Date 2025-08-19
Primary Completion 2029-06-15

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex Female only
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age N/A
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
MemantinePlacebo medicationExercise Intervention

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

In Phase 2, researchers evaluate early signs of effectiveness. You may be randomized to receive the active treatment or a comparator. Monitoring continues closely.

This trial targets 90 participants in total. It began in 2025-08-19 with a primary completion date of 2029-06-15.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

This randomized, placebo-controlled trial aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of memantine and the University of Carolina (UNC)'s Get Real \& Heel cancer exercise program (MEM+EX) in addressing cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) and underlying CRCI biomarkers. Ninety stage I-III breast cancer patients during chemotherapy will be randomized into three groups: MEM+EX, memantine, or placebo. The study will evaluate recruitment, retention, adherence, acceptability, cognitive function, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), inflammatory markers, and frailty at multiple time points.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: In order to participate in the study a subject must meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined below. * Female * Age ≥ 18 years at the time of consent. * Stage I-III Breast Cancer * Recommended chemotherapy * Enroll prior to 3rd cycle of chemotherapy * English-speaking Exclusion Criteria: * Allergy to memantine * Previous chemotherapy (prior to the current regimen), * Severe cognitive impairment, defined by Blessed Orientation Memory Concentration Test Score ≥11 * Myocardial infarction in the last 6 months * Cardiovascular or orthopedic limitations to exercise * Severe mental illness (i.e., schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder) * Current alcohol or drug abuse * Inability to swallow capsules \</= 5mL/min * CrCl \</= 5mL/min

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Ashley M Hanson

✉ Ashley_Hanson@med.unc.edu

📞 +1 984-888-9244

Principal Investigator

Zev Nakamura, MD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT06727773 clinical trial?

This trial is open to female participants only, aged 18 Years or older, studying Breast Cancer. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

What phase is the NCT06727773 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether the treatment shows signs of effectiveness while continuing to monitor safety. More participants are enrolled than in Phase 1 to help refine the treatment protocol.

Is NCT06727773 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT06727773 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at Ashley_Hanson@med.unc.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT06727773 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Chapel Hill, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT06727773 clinical trial?

NCT06727773 is sponsored by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. The principal investigator is Zev Nakamura, MD at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. The trial plans to enroll 90 participants.

Related Trials

Related Intelligence Guides

In-depth guides covering this condition's trials, eligibility, and what to expect.

ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: September 2026  ·  Data Methodology