CompletedPhase 4

The Effects of the Rivastigmine Patch on Parkinson's Disease With Memory and/or Thinking Problems

United States15 participantsStarted 2010-04

Plain-language summary

This is an open-label study to investigate the effects of the rivastigmine patch on attention and behavior in Parkinson's disease when associated with memory and/or thinking problems. Rivastigmine (also sold under the name Exelon) is an FDA approved medication used for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and memory or thinking problems due to Parkinson's disease. Recently a rivastigmine patch was developed, which has shown similar effectiveness with fewer side effects and increased caregiver preference when compared to capsules. This is an open-label 12 week study where 15 subjects diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease who have mild to moderate memory and/or thinking complaints will be treated with the rivastigmine patch at UCSF. This study also analyzes the mechanism by which the rivastigmine patch works in people with Parkinson's disease and memory and/or thinking problems.

Who can participate

Age range

55 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Must meet research criteria for Parkinson's Disease with Dementia (PDD) * Males and females, ages between 55 and 100 * Able to undergo psychometric testing * Mini-Mental State Examination ≥ 21 and Clinical Dementia Rating \< 2 * Reliable informant with frequent contact with patient Exclusion Criteria: * Non-English speaking, as cognitive tests will be in English * Evidence of other neurological or psychiatric disorders which preclude diagnosis of PDD (including, but not limited to, stroke, any psychotic disorder, severe bipolar or unipolar depression, seizure disorder, or head injury with loss of consciousness) within the past year * Concurrent treatment with any acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (including rivastigmine in pill or patch form), antipsychotic agents (excluding quetiapine in dosages of 150 mg and lower, abilify and geodon as these medications are commonly used in treatment of Parkinson's Disease (PD) psychosis and should not affect results of study), mood stabilizers (valproate or lithium) or benzodiazepines (other than temazepam or zolpidem) * Positive urine drug screen or suspected alcohol or substance abuse within last 1 year * Current malignancy, or any clinically significant hematological, endocrine, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal or neurological disease. If the condition has been stable for at least the past year and is judged by the investigator not to interfere with the patient's participation in the study, the pa…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Resting State Functional Activity Change From Baseline to 12 Weeks

Timeframe: Baseline and 12 weeks

Pre-post Change in Continuous Performance Test of Attention (Median Reaction Time)

Timeframe: Baseline and 12 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00988117

SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2011-04

Results submitted2013-07-28

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Parkinsons Disease With Dementia trials