Continuously Infused Intracerebral (IC) Recombinant-Methionyl Human Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (r-metHuGDNF) for the Treatment of Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is characterized by loss of neurons that produce dopamine in a region of the brain called the substantia nigra. In the early stages of the disease, the disease responds to agents that replace dopamine such as levodopa. Patients with more advanced disease have wide fluctuations in their response to levodopa, exhibiting on and off periods. This is due to continued degeneration of neurons. Recombinant-methionyl human glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (r-metHuGDNF or GDNF) is a neurotrophic factor that promotes survival of dopaminergic neurons. This is a protein produced by recombinant technology that is almost identical to the naturally produced factor. Results of animal studies indicate that GDNF has the potential to benefit patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.

The purpose of this clinical trial is to determine whether GDNF works to relieve symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease. The study will also test the delivery of GDNF using a catheter implanted into the putamen, the area of the brain associated with Parkinson's disease, and an infusion pump that is implanted under the skin in the abdomen or chest. GDNF will be placed into the pump and delivered through the catheter to the brain. The purposes of this study are to determine the potential benefits and side effects of GDNF. The performance and safety of the catheter/infusion pump system will also be assessed. The study will last for 6 months. Subjects will undergo neurological testing, computerized gait assessment and neurological imaging.

Study Overview

Study Type

Interventional

Phase

  • Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • New York
      • New York, New York, United States, 10016
        • Department of Neurology

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with advanced idiopathic Parkinson's disease treated with optimal doses of levodopa, dopamine agonist, catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors, or selegiline for 2 months prior to implantation of the intracerebral catheter and pump.
  • Must be able to undergo surgery required to implant the pump and catheter.
  • Must be capable of informed consent.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 8, 2000

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 8, 2000

First Posted (Estimate)

November 9, 2000

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

June 24, 2005

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 23, 2005

Last Verified

January 1, 2004

More Information

Terms related to this study

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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