Levetiracetam Treatment of L-dopa Induced Dyskinesias
Data Collection
Synucleinopathies+8
+ Basal Ganglia Diseases
+ Brain Diseases
Treatment Study
Summary
Study start date: January 1, 2004
Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.Introduction: Parkinson's disease is a progressive degenerative disease of unknown etiology. Its treatment has been symptomatic and the most successful approach has been to replace the missing dopamine through administration of its precursor levodopa. As the disease progresses the usefulness of this approach gradually diminishes and motor complications become a source of significant disability. Although a number of pharmacological strategies have attempted to improve this situation, none has yet proven fully satisfactory. The mechanism by which levetiracetam exerts this beneficial effect is unknown. Recently, in a PD monkey model levetiracetam was found to moderate dyskinesias and other motor complications, possibly due to its effects on striatal GABAergic transmission. Objective: To evaluate the acute ability of levetiracetam to safely ameliorate dopaminomimetic-treatment-associated dyskinesias and related motor complications in parkinsonian patients without compromising the antiparkinsonian response. Study Population: 22 moderately advanced parkinsonian patients will be enrolled into a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind proof-of-principle study. Levetiracetam efficacy will be assessed through the use of validated motor function scales. Safety will be monitored by means of frequent clinical evaluations and laboratory tests. Anticipated Risks and Benefits: The potential risks associated with this study amount to only a minor increase over minimal risk and are primarily associated with adverse reactions to the medications involved. Levetiracetam is a marketed drug with a wide margin of safety. Patients receiving drug could benefit from improvement of their symptoms, those on placebo will also have their medications adjusted, leading to an improved quality of life. Outcome Estimate and Potential Meaning for the Field: This study should further the understanding of mechanisms contributing to motor disability in patients with PD that may lead to the development of improved therapeutic interventions for this disorder and for associated motor response complications.
Protocol
This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.40 patients to be enrolled
Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.Treatment Study
Eligibility
Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.Any sex
Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.Healthy volunteers not allowed
If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.Conditions
Pathology
Criteria
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients who meet all of the following inclusion criteria will be able to participate in the study: 1. Patient is between the ages of 30 and 80, inclusive; 2. Patient has been diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease based on the presence of a characteristic clinical history and neurological findings; 3. Patient has relatively advanced disease with levodopa-associated motor response complications, including peak-dose dyskinesias and wearing-off fluctuations ; 4. Patient is willing to adhere to protocol requirements as evidenced by written, informed consent. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients meeting any of the following exclusion criteria will not be enrolled or immediately withdrawn from the study, as appropriate: 1. Patient has a history of any medical condition that can reasonably be expected to subject them to unwaranted risk; 2. Patient has clinically significant laboratory abnormalities including impaired renal function (CL(cr) equals 30-50 ml/min.); 3. Patient is uable to br treated with levodopa/carbidopa alone or with a single, relatively short-acting dopamine agonist, such as pramipexole or ropinirole; 4. Patient is taking a prohibited concomitant medication; 5. Patient has not been using or was not continuing to use an adequate contraceptive method for the last 30 days, or is not at least one year post-menopausal (if female); 6. Patient is pregnant or breastfeeding; 7. Patient is implanted with bilateral deep brain stimulators; 8. Patient has prior pallidotomy or other ablative surgeries for treatment of PD; 9. Patient has cognitive impairment (MMSE less than 25); 10. Patient has participated in a clinical study with an investigational drug within the last 30 days; 11. Patient has a condition (such as active drug or alcohol abuse) that, in the opinion of the investigators, would interfere with compliance or safety; 12. Patient is unwilling to sign an informed consent or to comply with protocol requirements; 13. Patient has a history of psychiatric illness.
Study Centers
These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.This study has 1 location
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Bethesda, United StatesSee the location