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Effect of Ropinirole Hydrochloride in Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy of Unverricht-Lundborg Type
This study is enrolling participants by invitation only.
Sponsored by: University of Turku
Information provided by: University of Turku
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00639119
  Purpose

The progressive myoclonus epilepsy of the Unverricht-Lundborg disease (ULD) type is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by progressive stimulus-sensitive and action-related myoclonic jerks.

The mainstay of the current treatment in myoclonic epilepsies including ULD are valproic acid and clonazepam among several other antiepileptic drugs. Unfortunately the disease may often be resistant to antiepileptic drugs leading to major reductions in daily activities and disability to walk without assistance. Therefore new treatment modalities are needed. Experimental treatments of ULD patients with dopamine agonists have relieved myoclonic symptoms. Further, in accordance with this, a recent study indicates decreased dopaminergic neurotransmission in the basal ganglia of ULD patients, determined by PET.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of dopaminergic medication (ropinirole hydrochloride, Requip ®) on relieving the symptoms of ULD patients. Patients will undergo sixteen weeks intervention period. The main efficacy determinants are changes in unified myoclonus rating scale (UMRS), nerve conduction, multi-modality evoked potentials including visual evoked potential (VEP), somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP), blink reflex habituation and electroencephalography (EEG). Tolerability and the safety of the medication are determined. The study setting is placebo controlled, crossover, two-group and double blind study.


Condition Intervention Phase
Unverricht-Lundborg Syndrome
Drug: Ropinirole
Phase II

Genetics Home Reference related topics: familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent epilepsy Unverricht-Lundborg disease
MedlinePlus related topics: Epilepsy
Drug Information available for: Ropinirole Ropinirole hydrochloride
U.S. FDA Resources
Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Treatment, Randomized, Double Blind (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Placebo Control, Crossover Assignment, Safety/Efficacy Study
Official Title: Effect of Ropinirole Hydrochloride in Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy of Unverricht-Lundborg Type

Further study details as provided by University of Turku:

Primary Outcome Measures:
  • Unified myoclonus rating scale [ Time Frame: 3 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Estimated Enrollment: 16
Study Start Date: August 2007
Estimated Primary Completion Date: August 2008 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Intervention Details:
    Drug: Ropinirole
    8 + 8 weeks cross-over placebo controlled
  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years to 70 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Unverricht-Lundborg Syndrome

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy
  • Intolerability to ropinirole hydrochloride
  • Mental illness
  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00639119

Locations
Finland
Turku university central hospital, Department of neurology
Turku, Finland, 20520
Sponsors and Collaborators
University of Turku
  More Information

Responsible Party: Department of Neurology, Turku University Hospital ( Matti Karvonen, MD, PhD )
Study ID Numbers: ERPME01
Study First Received: February 28, 2008
Last Updated: March 18, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00639119  
Health Authority: Finland: National Agency for Medicines

Study placed in the following topic categories:
Epilepsies, Myoclonic
Ropinirole
Unverricht-Lundborg Syndrome
Dopamine
Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System
Myoclonus epilepsy
Genetic Diseases, Inborn
Epilepsy
Central Nervous System Diseases
Myoclonic Epilepsies, Progressive
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Brain Diseases

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Neurotransmitter Agents
Disease
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Anti-Dyskinesia Agents
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Nervous System Diseases
Antiparkinson Agents
Dopamine Agonists
Pharmacologic Actions
Pathologic Processes
Syndrome
Therapeutic Uses
Dopamine Agents
Central Nervous System Agents

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 16, 2009