NCT00001365

Dextromethorphan for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease and Similar Conditions of the Nervous System

NMDA Receptor Antagonist Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disease

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 42 (planned)
• Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) · NIH
• Sex: All
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study is designed to determine whether dextromethorphan, a drug commonly found in cough medicine, is beneficial and safe for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other diseases that might share biochemical abnormalities with Parkinson's disease. Patients with Parkinson's disease are missing the chemical neurotransmitter dopamine. This occurs as a result of destructive changes in an area of the brain responsible for making dopamine, the basal ganglia. Rhythmical muscular tremors, rigidity of movement, shuffling footsteps, droopy posture, and a mask-like expression on the face characterize Parkinson's disease. Researchers believe that dextromethorphan may be able to safely modify psychomotor function of patients with Parkinson's Disease.

Detailed description

The ability of the putative excitatory amino acid receptor antagonist, dextromethorphan, to modify psychomotor function safely in patients with neurodegenerative disease will be evaluated using a modified double-blind placebo-controlled design. Therapeutic activity will be rated at various doses by means of standard motor and cognitive performance scales. Safety will be assessed at frequent intervals by clinical observation and laboratory tests.

Conditions

• Neurodegenerative Disease
• Parkinson's Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	dextromethorphan

Timeline

• Start date: 1993-07-01
• Completion: 2001-06-01
• First posted: 2002-12-10
• Last updated: 2006-07-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States