The Effects of Supplementing Tyrosine on Blood Pressure in Parkinson's Disease

Completed · Phase 1/Phase 2 · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Parkinson's Disease

In brief

The objective of this experiment is: * Primary: To determine the effects of tyrosine supplementation on orthostatic hypotension in people with PD. * Secondary: To determine the effects of tyrosine supplementation in people with PD with autonomic insufficiency on HR, BP, and norepinephrine responses during acute exercise stress. Orthostatic hypotension and autonomic abnormalities are a common problem for individuals who suffer from PD, especially as it leads to lightheadedness and falling. For those affected, it can drastically reduce quality of life. It has been hypothesized that tyrosine may impact upon individuals suffering from PD. There is ample evidence in animal models that supports our theory; however there is no clinical evidence of the impact tyrosine supplementation may have in PD patients who suffer from orthostatic hypotension and blunted BP and HR responses. Positive findings that supplemental tyrosine increases BP and HR in people with PD during daily activities such as standing up from a chair and walking can lead to new therapies to improve Parkinsonian orthostatic hypotension. Hypothesis We will test the hypothesis that symptomatic individuals with PD on dopamine therapy who suffer from orthostatic hypotension and blunted HR and BP responses will improve after tyrosine supplementation.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01676103

Run by

New York Institute of Technology

People needed

40

Starts

2012-09-01

Expected to finish

2013-11-01

Last updated by the study team

2014-04-16

Who can join

Age: 50 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Diagnosis of PD according to the UK Brain Bank Diagnostic criteria
• Diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension according to EFNS guidelines
• Able to walk on a treadmill comfortably for 6-10 minutes
• Currently taking levodopa
• Subjects between the age of 50-80 years old

You may not qualify if…

• Currently taking an amino acid supplement
• Currently taking medication that affects BP
• Normal BP response to testing

Where it is running

• New York Institue of Technology — Old Westbury, New York, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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