Adrenergic Blocker Therapy in PD
Condition: REM sleep behavior disorder, Parkinson’s disease
Eligibility
Key Inclusion Criteria
- 25-85 years old
- Diagnosis of idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), established either as “definite RBD” or “probable RBD”
- At least one of the following: hyposmia; functional constipation; color vision abnormality; symptoms of depression
Key Exclusion Criteria
- Secondary Parkinsonism
- Concurrent dementia
- Concurrent severe depression
Study Name
The Effect of Adrenergic Blocker Therapy on Cardiac and Striatal Transporter Uptake in Pre-Motor and Symptomatic Parkinson’s Disease (IRB no. 53136)
Summary
This study focuses on patients with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). RBD is a sleep disorder that causes people to “act out” their dreams. A high percentage of individuals with idiopathic RBD (iRBD) are known to develop conditions affecting the brain, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study is designed to evaluate the investigational use of a drug called carvedilol.
Researchers will examine the effect of carvedilol on imaging abnormalities, specifically MIBG (metaiodobenzylguanidine, a nuclear scan test), that are considered early markers of predisposition to PD and are frequently found in people with RBD. In other conditions such as heart failure, carvedilol is known to reverse MIBG abnormalities.
Phase
Phase II
Principal Investigator
Contact
Michele Gregorio, PhD
424-315-0021
michele.gregorio@cshs.org