UK Part of Nationwide Parkinson's Trial
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 26, 2007) − The University of Kentucky is
participating in one of the largest studies ever of patients with Parkinson's disease. Locally
led by UK neurologist Dr.
Franca Cambi, the UK portion of the study will enroll patients from the UK HealthCare
regional service area.
Dr. Karl Kieburtz, Director of the Clinical Trials Coordination Center at the University of Rochester, and Barbara Tilley, Director of the Statistical Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, are leading the study of 1,720 people at 52 sites in the United States and Canada. The study will test the ability of the investigational drug, creatine, to slow the clinical decline of Parkinson’s disease. The National Institutes of Health is sponsoring the study.
In patients with Parkinson’s disease, brain cells or neurons that produce a chemical called dopamine die off gradually. Without enough dopamine, patients experience symptoms such as tremors, muscle rigidity, balance problems, and slowness. Currently doctors try to ease patients’ symptoms by treating the disease with drugs that boost the amount of dopamine or help the brain to make the best use of the dopamine that is present.
In relatively small and brief studies in people with Parkinson’s disease, creatine has been well tolerated. Doctors now intend to carry out a large trial to continue looking at the safety of creatine and to see if it is effective in slowing clinical decline in people with Parkinson’s disease. Patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease within five years and who are being treated for the disease may be eligible.
In this study, doctors will follow the progress of participants for a minimum of five years, performing vitals, tests of thinking, mood and evaluations of quality of life to monitor for signs of the disease progression. Researchers will study whether the progression of the disease is slower in people taking creatine compared to those who are taking a placebo (inactive substance).
This study, called “NET-PD LS-1," is being organized and conducted by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
For more information about the study or to see if you qualify for enrollment, call Renee Wagner, RN at (859) 323-0028.
Dr. Karl Kieburtz, Director of the Clinical Trials Coordination Center at the University of Rochester, and Barbara Tilley, Director of the Statistical Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, are leading the study of 1,720 people at 52 sites in the United States and Canada. The study will test the ability of the investigational drug, creatine, to slow the clinical decline of Parkinson’s disease. The National Institutes of Health is sponsoring the study.
In patients with Parkinson’s disease, brain cells or neurons that produce a chemical called dopamine die off gradually. Without enough dopamine, patients experience symptoms such as tremors, muscle rigidity, balance problems, and slowness. Currently doctors try to ease patients’ symptoms by treating the disease with drugs that boost the amount of dopamine or help the brain to make the best use of the dopamine that is present.
In relatively small and brief studies in people with Parkinson’s disease, creatine has been well tolerated. Doctors now intend to carry out a large trial to continue looking at the safety of creatine and to see if it is effective in slowing clinical decline in people with Parkinson’s disease. Patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease within five years and who are being treated for the disease may be eligible.
In this study, doctors will follow the progress of participants for a minimum of five years, performing vitals, tests of thinking, mood and evaluations of quality of life to monitor for signs of the disease progression. Researchers will study whether the progression of the disease is slower in people taking creatine compared to those who are taking a placebo (inactive substance).
This study, called “NET-PD LS-1," is being organized and conducted by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
For more information about the study or to see if you qualify for enrollment, call Renee Wagner, RN at (859) 323-0028.