Adrenergic Blockers for Cardiac Changes in Early Parkinson's Disease (Protocol 53136)

Running, not enrolling · Phase 2

Conditions studied: REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, Pre-motor Parkinson Disease, Symptomatic Parkinson Disease

In brief

REM Behavior Sleep Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder causing people to 'act out' their dreams. A high percentage of individuals with idiopathic RBD (iRBD) are known to develop conditions affecting the neurons in the brain such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Based on the increased risk to develop PD, individuals with iRBD are currently considered ideal candidates for therapies that can possibly protects brain cells, due to the critical window of opportunity to intervene early before brain cell loss progresses significantly. Early changes of PD are associated with a number of symptoms including loss of smell, constipation, anxiety and depression. In addition, early heart and brain abnormalities can be visualized using specialized imaging techniques called 123I-MIBG myocardial scintigraphy (MIBG) and dopamine transporter (DAT) single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) respectively. The combined presence of certain symptoms and the use of these imaging techniques are considered early markers of PD in individuals with iRBD. In other conditions, like heart failure, MIBG abnormalities are reversed by drugs able to block excessive adrenergic stimulation, known as beta-blockers. In this study the investigators want to learn about the effect of treatment with the beta-blocker carvedilol on MIBG abnormalities found in iRBD patients at risk to develop PD. The investigators believe that reversing the MIBG abnormality might prelude to a slowing of the neurodegenerative process. This drug is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for congestive heart failure, hypertension and left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction. However, carvedilol is not approved by the FDA in patients with iRBD at risk for PD. The available doses for this drug oral formulations are 3.125mg, 6.25mg, 12.5mg and 25mg. Changes visualized with the MIBG imaging technique will be correlated to the presence and severity of neurological (i.e. tremors, stiffness, slow movements, walking difficulties) and other symptoms associated with PD (i.e. abnormal smell, constipation, depression, color vision abnormalities), as measured by specific clinical scales and exams.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03775096

Run by

Michele Tagliati, MD

People needed

15

Starts

2019-04-04

Expected to finish

2026-07-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-02

Who can join

Age: 50 and older, up to 85. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Male or female of age between 50 and 85 years at time of enrollment.
• Diagnosis of idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) or Diagnosis of hyposmia. Diagnosis of RBD will be, established either as 'definite RBD' according to the criteria proposed by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD)-2 [AASM, 2005] or 'probable RBD' following a score of 6 or higher in the RBD questionnaire (RBDSQ) with a score of at least 1 in subitems 6.1 to 6.4 of question 6.
• At least one of the following:
• Diagnosis of hyposmia. Diagnosis of hyposmia will be established as a University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) score < 20th percentile for the individual's age group and sex.
• Functional constipation, assessed by a scores > 4 on a questionnaire based on modified ROME III diagnostic criteria.
• Color vision abnormality, as assessed using HRR Pseudoisochromatic Plates, in the absence of congenital dyschromatopsia.
• Symptoms of depression, as assessed by a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) fast screen score >3 or concurrent use of antidepressant medications
• Abnormal 123I-MIBG myocardial scintigraphy, as defined by a Late H/M ratio < 2.2 and/or a WR >30%, with normal cardiac ejection fraction (LVEF >55%).
• Capacity to give informed consent

You may not qualify if…

• Secondary Parkinsonism, including tardive
• Concurrent dementia defined by a score lower than 22 on the MoCA
• Concurrent severe depression defined by a BDI fast screen score greater than 13
• Comorbidities related to SNS hyperactivity
• Heart failure (LVEF <45%)
• Recent myocardial revascularization (<12 weeks)
• Chronic Hypertension (SBP>140mmHg-DBP>90mmHg)
• Atrial fibrillation
• Diabetes mellitus
• COPD
• Sleep Apnea
• Severely reduced kidney function (Glomerular Filtration Rate<30ml/min)
• Contraindications to the use of carvedilol
• Asthma or bronchospasm
• Recent myocardial infarction (<48 h)
• Ongoing unstable angina
• Cardiogenic shock or prolonged hypotension
• Second or Third-Degree AV block
• Significant valvular aortic stenosis
• Obstructive cardiomyopathy, or constrictive pericarditis
• Symptomatic Bradycardia (HR<60) or Sick Sinus Syndrome
• Stroke within the past 1 month
• Severe Hepatic Dysfunction
• Allergy/hypersensitivity to iodine or study medication

Where it is running

• Michele L Lima Gregorio — Los Angeles, California, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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