Norepinephrine-targeted Therapy for Action Control in Parkinson Disease
Condition: Parkinson Disease
MeSH terms: Parkinson Disease
Intervention: Droxidopa; Carbidopa
Intervention description: Droxidopa will be started at 100mg twice a day and titrated up to a maximum of 600mg twice a day; Carbidopa 200mg twice a day
Intervention MeSH terms: Carbidopa; Droxidopa
Phase: Phase 4
Study type: Interventional
Primary purpose: Treatment
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Intervention model description: This is a single-arm study enrolling 15 patients that will all receive the experimental treatment.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Masking description: All patients will receive the same treatment.
Enrollment: 15.0
Sex: All
Minimum age: 18 Years
Healthy volunteers: No

Summary:

      The purpose of this study is to find out whether droxidopa, a medication that increases
      norepinephrine levels, may be effective in improving some aspects of cognition and movement
      in Parkinson's disease (PD).
    

Eligibility criteria:

        Inclusion Criteria:

          1. Nondemented man or woman 18 years of age or older with idiopathic PD based on the UK
             Parkinson Disease Society Brain Bank Clinical Diagnostic Criteria (refer to Appendix C
             for the criteria)

          2. Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scores OFF medication consistent
             with postural instability gait difficulty (PIGD) subtype

          3. Symptoms of freezing or falls

          4. Able to walk at least 10 meters

          5. Medically stable outpatient, based on the investigator's judgment

          6. The patient must be willing and able to give written informed consent prior to
             performing any study procedures.

        Exclusion Criteria:

          1. Score of 21 or lower on Montreal Cognitive Assessment

          2. Sustained supine hypertension greater than or equal to 180 mmHg systolic or 110 mmHg
             diastolic, or have these measurements at their Baseline Visit (Visit 2). Sustained is
             defined as measurements persistently greater at 2 separate measurements at least 10
             minutes apart with the subject supine and at rest for at least 5 minutes.

          3. Concomitant use of vasoconstricting agents such as ephedrine, dihydroergotamine, or
             midodrine. Concomitant use of other noradrenergic medications, such as
             serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI's) is also contraindicated.
             Patients must stop taking these drugs at least 2 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is
             longer) prior to their baseline visit and throughout the duration of the study.

          4. Diagnosis of hypertension that requires treatment with antihypertensive medications
             (short-acting antihypertensives to treat nocturnal supine hypertension are allowed in
             this study)

          5. Women of childbearing potential

          6. Any significant uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia

          7. History of myocardial infarction, within the past 2 years

          8. Current unstable angina

          9. Congestive heart failure (NYHA Class 3 or 4)

         10. History of cancer within the past 2 years other than a successfully treated,
             non-metastatic cutaneous squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma or cervical cancer in
             situ

         11. History of stroke

         12. Gastrointestinal condition that may affect the absorption of study drug (e.g.,
             ulcerative colitis, gastric bypass)

         13. Musculoskeletal disorders such as severe arthritis, post knee surgery, hip surgery, or
             any other condition that the investigators determine may impair assessment of gait

         14. History of myocardial infarction, uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia, unstable angina,
             congestive heart failure, or stroke

         15. Untreated closed angle glaucoma

         16. Musculoskeletal or other disorders that may impair assessment of gait

         17. Any major surgical procedure within 30 days prior to the Baseline visit

         18. Previously treated with droxidopa within 30 days prior to the Baseline visit

         19. Currently receiving any other investigational drug or have received an investigational
             drug within 60 days prior to the Baseline visit

         20. Known or suspected alcohol or substance abuse within the past 12 months (DSM-IV
             definition of alcohol or substance abuse)

         21. Any condition or laboratory test result, which in the Investigator's judgment, might
             result in an increased risk to the patient, or would affect their participation in the
             study.