Effect of Ropinirole Hydrochloride in Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy of Unverricht-Lundborg Type

March 18, 2008 updated by: University of Turku

The progressive myoclonus epilepsy of the Unverricht-Lundborg disease (ULD) type is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by progressive stimulus-sensitive and action-related myoclonic jerks.

The mainstay of the current treatment in myoclonic epilepsies including ULD are valproic acid and clonazepam among several other antiepileptic drugs. Unfortunately the disease may often be resistant to antiepileptic drugs leading to major reductions in daily activities and disability to walk without assistance. Therefore new treatment modalities are needed. Experimental treatments of ULD patients with dopamine agonists have relieved myoclonic symptoms. Further, in accordance with this, a recent study indicates decreased dopaminergic neurotransmission in the basal ganglia of ULD patients, determined by PET.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of dopaminergic medication (ropinirole hydrochloride, Requip ®) on relieving the symptoms of ULD patients. Patients will undergo sixteen weeks intervention period. The main efficacy determinants are changes in unified myoclonus rating scale (UMRS), nerve conduction, multi-modality evoked potentials including visual evoked potential (VEP), somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP), blink reflex habituation and electroencephalography (EEG). Tolerability and the safety of the medication are determined. The study setting is placebo controlled, crossover, two-group and double blind study.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Unverricht-Lundborg Syndrome

Intervention / Treatment

Drug: Ropinirole

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

Phase

Phase 2

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

Finland
- - Turku, Finland, 20520
    - Turku university central hospital, 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 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Unverricht-Lundborg Syndrome

Exclusion Criteria:

Pregnancy
Intolerability to ropinirole hydrochloride
Mental illness

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
Allocation: Randomized
Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Triple

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Unified myoclonus rating scale Time Frame: 3	3

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University of Turku

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 Major Dates

Study Start

August 1, 2007

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

August 1, 2008

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 28, 2008

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 18, 2008

First Posted (Estimate)

March 19, 2008

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)