Uncovering a Novel Therapeutic Target to Reduce Dementia Risk in Parkinson's Disease

Launched by THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND · Nov 18, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring the potential of a low-dose, repurposed anti-epileptic medication called levetiracetam to help improve memory problems in people with Parkinson's disease. Researchers want to see if this drug can affect specific areas of the brain, particularly the hippocampus, which is important for memory. They will use advanced imaging techniques to look at brain activity in Parkinson's patients with memory issues, those without memory problems, and healthy older adults. By comparing these groups, the study aims to find out if brain activity can help predict memory issues in Parkinson's patients.

If you or a loved one has Parkinson's disease and experiences memory problems, you might be eligible to participate in this study. Participants must be able to undergo MRI scans and should either have mild cognitive impairment related to Parkinson's, have Parkinson's without memory issues, or be healthy volunteers. Those with certain conditions like dementia or severe depression, or who cannot have an MRI, will not be eligible. Participants will receive the study drug and undergo brain scans, contributing to valuable research that could lead to better treatments in the future. If you're interested, please talk to your doctor for more information on how to get involved.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Parkinson's Disease patients with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
• • Parkinson's Disease patients with no memory impairment
• • Healthy volunteers
• • All participants must be eligible to take MRI scans
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Dementia
• • Contraindication to having MRI
• • Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, Alcohol or substance abuse
• • Major depression
• • Suicidal Ideation
• • Difficulty complying with protocol requirements
• • Significant non-PD neurological disease
• • Vascular dementia
• • Sensitivity to levetiracetam
• • Use of anticonvulsant medications
• • Use of other excluded medications
• • Severe renal impairment
• • Clinically significant abnormalities in B12 or thyroid function test (below normative range for elderly)
• • Females of childbearing potential