Intravenous Levodopa for the Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease

Completed

• Conditions: Parkinson Disease

• Registration Number: NCT00001928
• Lead Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

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.

Detailed Description

A positive response to levodopa is now considered a condition sine qua non for the diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Under this protocol, patients with parkinsonism of uncertain etiology will be tested for their motor response to intravenous levodopa to aid in the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. This protocol regulates and stipulates the acute administration of intravenous levodopa and associated safety issues.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 1999-03
• Study Start: 1999-03
• Study First Submitted: 1999-11-03
• Study Completion: 2000-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2002-12-09
• Study First Posted: 2002-12-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2008-03-03
• Last Update Posted: 2008-03-04

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 25

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS); 🇺🇸 Bethesda, Maryland, United States