The current excitement over pallidotomy has eclipsed the need to continue to
develop new and better medications for Parkinson's disease. Indeed, the
majority (about 90% per even the most active neurosurgeons) of parkinsonian
patients are not candidates for pallidotomy but do benefit from proper
medications.
Given this fact advances continue to be made in developing better therapies
for both the complications of PD and new treatments that my eventually slow
or stop the underlyinh disease process. Below are two such studies seeking
additional patients.
Further studies are continually forthcoming. The publications of the
national PD support groups also announce such information. More information
about studies as well as additional drugs currently in clinical trials are
published regularly by the Parkinson's Disease UPDATE Newsletter. For
further information call 1-800-947-6658 or FAX 1-215-947-2552. Issues 46-49
cover NEW DRUGS IN THE PIPELINE.
Clinical Tials In Progress - Patients Needed
The Movement Disorders Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital is now
actively recruiting Parkinson's disease patients with levodopa exacerbated
psychosis for a clinical trial comparing two treatments; risperidone
(Respirol) and clozapine (Clozaril). Both Risperidone and Clozapine are
currently used to treat symptoms of psychosis, including hallucinations and
delusions.
The clinical study will test whether Risperidone, a new anti-psychotic
drug, is as effective as Clozapine in treatment of levodopa-exacerbated
psychosis in Parkinson's disease patients. In addition, we will also test
whether risperidone and/or clozapine improves tremor and rigidity.
We expect to enroll twenty patients. Each patient will receive treatment
free of charge for 3 months.
The investigators are Drs. Merit Cudkowicz and John H. Growdon. For
questions or patient referrals please contact either Dr. Cudkowicz at
617-724-1873 or Dr. Growdon at 617-726-1728.
TOLCAPONE STUDY - Patients Needed
Tolcapone, a COMT inhibitor, is a unique drug which has been shown to
prolong the effects of Sinemet in clinical studies in Parkinson's disease
patients. Clinical trials with tolcapone have tested the compound in
approximately 850 people with varying degrees of Parkinson's disease.
Results to date show tolcapone is safe and effective in patients with mild
to severe Parkinson's disease. A new 8-week study to take place in the U.S.
and Canada will test the effectiveness and safety of tolcapone in early
untreated Parkinson's disease patients. Initially, tolcapone or placebo
(inactive substance) will be taken for the first 4 weeks and then selegiline
(Eldepryl), a marketed drug for Parkinson's disease will be added for a
further 4 weeks. This 8-week study period will require six clinic visits.
There is no cost to the patients who participate in this trial. If
interested in participating in this trial, please contact the study
coordinator at one of the following sites nearest to you:
Albany, New York Boston, Massachusetts
Stewart A. Factor, DO Marie-Helene Saint Hilaire, MD
Diane Brown, RN Denyse Turpin
(518)262-6169 Cathi Thomas
(617)638-8456
Toronto, Canada Calgary, Canada
Mark Guttman, MD Oksana Suchowersky, MD
Jill Burkholder, RN Pat Argatoff, RN
Jackie Thomson, RN (403)220-8413
(905)472-7082
Tampa, Florida Sunnyvale, California
Robert Hauser, MD Caroline Tanner, MD
Lisa Gauger, RN Paula Lewis, RN
(813)253-4455 (408)734-2800 ext 507
Phoenix, Arizona
Matthias Kurth, MD, PhD
Melanie Brewer, RN
(602)406-6315
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/ Matthias C. Kurth, MD,PhD Tel #: 602-406-3434
/ Barrow Neurological Institute Alt #: 602-406-6315
/ Movement Disorders Specialty Clinics
/ 222 West Thomas, Suite 401 FAX #: 602-406-7187
/ Phoenix, Arizona 85013 E-MAIL: [log in to unmask]
/==================================================
