Parkinson's Disease Clinical Trials will Include Co-Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Creatine Minocycline and GPI-1485 Treatment Options

February 26th 2006

Coenzyme Q-10

The Government is looking at substances that may offer hope in slowing the progression of Parkinson’s disease, as opposed to just treating the symptoms. Various compounds will be tested including Co-Enzyme Q-10 (CoQ10), creatine, minocycline and GPI-1485.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is finalizing plans to enroll hundreds of early-stage Parkinson’s patients in this study. An earlier study funded by the NIH found that creatine and minocycline may warrant further consideration. Dr. Karl Kieburtz of the University of Rochester told the World Parkinson Congress last week that while the news is encouraging, the results do not demonstrate that these agents are effective in Parkinson’s disease. His results will be published the March 14 issue of Neurology.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have organized a nationwide multi-center effort called NET-PD (Neuroprotection Exploratory Trials in Parkinson's Disease).

The NET-PD study will be a randomized, double-blind futility trial, to study compounds that may slow the clinical decline of Parkinson's disease. Patients who have not yet begun using medications typically used to treat their Parkinson's symptoms will be included in the study.

In the earlier creatine and minocycline study, both substances appeared to modify the disease features as measured by a decline in the clinical signs of Parkinson's disease. After 12 months the researchers said that the “minocycline was not as well tolerated.” Minocycline is an antibiotic and creatine is often used by bodybuilders to increase muscle mass.

Other compounds including CoQ10 and GPI-1485 will be tested. Some scientists have theorized that CoQ10, a compound made in the body, may help preserve the nerve cells that die off in Parkinson's. According to the NIH, investigators are currently analyzing data to determine the compound’s effectiveness in the previous studies. The NINDS and the consortium are already planning a large long-term study of neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson’s disease gradually destroys brain cells that produce dopamine. This is a crucial chemical used in cellular communication which controls muscle movement. Current treatments include involve replacing lost dopamine, and a brain implant to control tremors. The Associated Press reported that both of these treatments “work for a while, but they do not fight the underlying cause of the disease.”