Levetiracetam Treatment of L-Dopa Induced Dyskinesias - Full Text View

Sponsored by:	National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Information provided by:	National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00076674

Purpose

This study will evaluate the effects of levetiracetam (Keppra™ (Trademark)) on Parkinson's disease symptoms and on dyskinesias (involuntary movements) that develop as a result of long-term treatment with levodopa. Levetiracetam blocks certain protein receptors on brain cells and thus can change the spread of brain signals believed to be affected in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Patients between 30 and 80 years of age with relatively advanced Parkinson's disease and dyskinesias due to levodopa therapy may be eligible for this 6-week study.

Screening and baseline evaluation - Participants are evaluated with a medical history, physical examination and neurologic evaluation, blood tests, urinalysis, electrocardiogram (EKG), 24-hour holter monitor (heart monitoring), and cardiology consultation. A chest x-ray and MRI or CT scan of the brain are done if needed. If possible, patients stop taking all antiparkinsonian medications except levodopa (Sinemet) for one month (2 months if taking Selegiline) before the study begins and throughout its duration. (If necessary, patients may use short-acting agents, such as Mirapex, Requip or Amantadine.)

Dose-finding phase - Patients are admitted to the NIH Clinical Center for 2 to 3 days for a levodopa "dose-finding" procedure. For this test, patients stop taking Sinemet and instead have levodopa infused through a vein. During the infusions, the drug dose is increased slowly until parkinsonian symptoms improve or unacceptable side effects occur or the maximum study dose is reached. Symptoms are monitored frequently. (Patients who have had dosing infusions in the last 3 months do not have to undergo this phase of the study.)

Active study phase - Patients are randomly assigned to take levetiracetam or placebo ("sugar pill") twice a day for 6 weeks. At the end of weeks 1, 2 4, and 5, patients come to the clinic for blood tests, an EKG, and a review of adverse side effects. At the end of weeks 3 and 6, patients are hospitalized to study the response to treatment. They again stop taking Sinemet and selegiline and their ability to perform motor tasks is evaluated. They are then placed on an L-dopa infusion for 10 hours. Placebo may be infused at various times instead of L-dopa. Motor symptoms are evaluated several times during the infusion. Blood is drawn once during the infusion for research studies.

Lumbar puncture - Patients undergo a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) at the end of weeks 1 and 4 to measure certain brain chemicals and drug levels. For this test, a local anesthetic is given and a needle is inserted in the space between the vertebrae in the lower back. About 2 tablespoons of fluid is collected through the needle.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - Patients with changing disease activity may undergo MRIs at baseline, at the end of week 1 and at the end of the study to show changes in the brain. The patient lies in a narrow cylinder (the scanner) that uses radio waves and a magnetic field to produce images of the brain, which show structural and chemical changes.

Follow-up - 2 weeks after the study ends, patients are contacted by phone for a review of side effects or they return to the clinic for an evaluation.

Condition	Intervention	Phase
Dyskinesias Parkinson Disease	Drug: Intravenous Levodopa	Phase II

Genetics Home Reference related topics: familial paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia Parkinson disease

MedlinePlus related topics: Parkinson's Disease

Drug Information available for: Levetiracetam Levodopa

U.S. FDA Resources

Study Type:	Interventional
Study Design:	Treatment, Safety/Efficacy Study
Official Title:	Levetiracetam Treatment of L-Dopa Induced Dyskinesias

Further study details as provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):

Estimated Enrollment:	40
Study Start Date:	January 2004
Estimated Study Completion Date:	October 2005

Detailed Description:

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.

Eligibility

Genders Eligible for Study:	Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:	No

Criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Patients who meet all of the following inclusion criteria will be able to participate in the study:

Patient is between the ages of 30 and 80, inclusive;
Patient has been diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease based on the presence of a characteristic clinical history and neurological findings;
Patient has relatively advanced disease with levodopa-associated motor response complications, including peak-dose dyskinesias and wearing-off fluctuations ;
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:

Patient has a history of any medical condition that can reasonably be expected to subject them to unwaranted risk;
Patient has clinically significant laboratory abnormalities including impaired renal function (CL(cr) equals 30-50 ml/min.);
Patient is uable to br treated with levodopa/carbidopa alone or with a single, relatively short-acting dopamine agonist, such as pramipexole or ropinirole;
Patient is taking a prohibited concomitant medication;
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);
Patient is pregnant or breastfeeding;
Patient is implanted with bilateral deep brain stimulators;
Patient has prior pallidotomy or other ablative surgeries for treatment of PD;
Patient has cognitive impairment (MMSE less than 25);
Patient has participated in a clinical study with an investigational drug within the last 30 days;
Patient has a condition (such as active drug or alcohol abuse) that, in the opinion of the investigators, would interfere with compliance or safety;
Patient is unwilling to sign an informed consent or to comply with protocol requirements;
Patient has a history of psychiatric illness.

Contacts and Locations

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00076674

Locations

United States, Maryland
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892

Sponsors and Collaborators

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

More Information

Publications:

Bernheimer H, Birkmayer W, Hornykiewicz O, Jellinger K, Seitelberger F. Brain dopamine and the syndromes of Parkinson and Huntington. Clinical, morphological and neurochemical correlations. J Neurol Sci. 1973 Dec;20(4):415-55. No abstract available.

Kish SJ, Shannak K, Hornykiewicz O. Uneven pattern of dopamine loss in the striatum of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Pathophysiologic and clinical implications. N Engl J Med. 1988 Apr 7; 318(14): 876-80.

Mizuno Y, Mori H, Kondo T. Parkinson's disease: from etiology to treatment. Intern Med. 1995 Nov;34(11):1045-54. Review.

Study ID Numbers:	040101, 04-N-0101
Study First Received:	January 28, 2004
Last Updated:	March 3, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00076674
Health Authority:	United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):

Parkinson's Disease
Keppra
Motor Fluctuations
Intravenous Levodopa

Antiparkinsonian Response
Parkinson Disease
PD

Study placed in the following topic categories:

Levodopa
Ganglion Cysts
Basal Ganglia Diseases
Central Nervous System Diseases
Brain Diseases
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Dyskinesias
Signs and Symptoms

Dopamine
Parkinson Disease
Movement Disorders
Neurologic Manifestations
Dihydroxyphenylalanine
Etiracetam
Parkinsonian Disorders

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Nootropic Agents
Neurotransmitter Agents
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Anti-Dyskinesia Agents
Therapeutic Uses
Physiological Effects of Drugs

Nervous System Diseases
Antiparkinson Agents
Dopamine Agents
Central Nervous System Agents
Anticonvulsants
Pharmacologic Actions

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 15, 2009