Intravenous Levodopa for the Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease

NCT00001928 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 99007299-N-0072
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 25
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Patients with Parkinson's disease have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is responsible for motor function and normal physical activity. Patients with Parkinson's disease typically suffer from tremors, rigid muscles, stooped postures, and walk with a shuffle. The drug levodopa acts as a replacement for dopamine and has been has been used effectively for over 30 years as treatment for Parkinsons disease. Because of its effectiveness, levodopa has been used to distinguish Parkinson's disease from other conditions that may resemble Parkinson's disease. Traditionally, levodopa has been given as a pill. In this study, researchers would like to inject levodopa directly into a vein (intravenous) in order to diagnose cases of Parkinson's disease. This method provides immediate results and allows doctors to adjust the dose of levodopa very carefully. Because the intravenous method of giving levodopa is less practical than oral medication, it is not an available alternative for the routine treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, it may be useful for faster diagnosis of the disease and for determining effective doses of oral medication.

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Keywords

Diagnosis; Infusion; Parkinsonism

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

All patients will have parkinsonism of undetermined etiology. Males and females between the ages of 18 and 85 are eligible for the study. No presence or history of any medical condition that can reasonably be expected to subject the patient to unwarranted risks, specifically those who have the following: a history of convulsive, hepatic, or renal disorders; currently receiving treatment for myocardial infarction, arrhythmia or cardiac failure; and pregnant women or anyone not practicing an effective means of birth control.

Contact the study team to discuss eligibility requirements. They can help determine if this study is right for you.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): lead

Study Sites (1)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Fabbrini G, Juncos J, Mouradian MM, Serrati C, Chase TN. Levodopa pharmacokinetic mechanisms and motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease. Ann Neurol. 1987 Apr;21(4):370-6. doi: 10.1002/ana.410210409.

  PMID: 3579222 BACKGROUND

• Mouradian MM, Juncos JL, Fabbrini G, Chase TN. Motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease: pathogenetic and therapeutic studies. Ann Neurol. 1987 Oct;22(4):475-9. doi: 10.1002/ana.410220406.

  PMID: 3435068 BACKGROUND

• Fabbrini G, Mouradian MM, Juncos JL, Schlegel J, Mohr E, Chase TN. Motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease: central pathophysiological mechanisms, Part I. Ann Neurol. 1988 Sep;24(3):366-71. doi: 10.1002/ana.410240303.

  PMID: 3228270 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Parkinson Disease; Disease; Parkinsonian Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Basal Ganglia Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Movement Disorders; Synucleinopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Sponsor Type: NIH

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 3, 1999
• First Posted: December 10, 2002
• Study Start: March 1, 1999
• Study Completion: July 1, 2000
• Last Updated: March 4, 2008

Record last verified: 1999-03

Locations

US (1)