IU Studies New Drugs For Parkinson's Disease

INDIANAPOLIS -- Patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease may be eligible to participate in one of two separate controlled clinical trials for new drug therapies.

One of the studies will focus on patients in the early stages of Parkinson's disease. It is part of a nation wide research project in which Indiana University School of Medicine is one of 27 U.S. medical centers enrolling patients for the study. At IU the study will be directed by Joanne Wojcieszek, MD.

Patients eligible for this study are those who have early stages of Parkinson's disease and are not currently taking levodopa, dopamine agonists, selegiline (eldepryl or deprenyl), or serotonin-like drugs (e.g., antidepressants such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil). Patients taking other medications may be eligible.

The second study, directed by Eric Siemers, MD, will focus on therapies that affect both the motor and cognitive deficits. Patients eligible for this study are those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease but are otherwise healthy or have stable medical conditions. Patients must be at least 40 years old and using birth control unless post-menopausal or sterile. Patients also must not currently be taking any medications for the disease and have not had brain surgery for Parkinson's disease.

There is no cost to those who participate in the studies. Persons in driving range of Indianapolis who are interested in participating in either trial can call the research nurse, JoAnn Belden, LPN, at 317-278-0868.

Send to: I.U. School of Medicine
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