Trial of Parkinson's and Zoledronic Acid

This home-based study is a randomized (1:1) placebo-controlled trial of a single infusion of zoledronic acid-5 mg (ZA) for the prevention of fractures in men and women aged 60 years and older with Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism with at least 2 years of follow-up. A total of 2650 participants will be enrolled and randomized in the United States. Participants, follow-up outcome assessors, and study investigators will be blinded to assigned study treatment. This trial is funded by the National Institute of Aging.

This home-based randomized clinical trial is designed to test the efficacy of ZA-5 mg in Parkinson's disease (PD) and parkinsonism patients. This trial will also address barriers to treatment of patients with PD and parkinsonism by providing rigorous evidence about whether ZA reduces fracture risk in patients with PD and parkinsonism, simplifying treatment by giving ZA at home without extra medical visits and BMD testing, and overcoming poor persistence with oral therapies because one infusion may prevent bone loss for at least 2 years. The outcome of this trial will demonstrate how a home-based fracture prevention can reach older PD patients who would not otherwise receive treatment to reduce their high risk of fractures.

Patients with PD will be recruited throughout the US by participating neurologists and health networks as well as the Parkinson's Foundation. Patients may also self-refer to the study. Interested patients can access study information on a study website (topaz.eurekaplatform.org) as well as through the Parkinson's Foundation Helpline. Patients who wish to enroll will be directed to an interactive electronic consent (eConsent). Following eConsent, participants complete a screening questionnaire (to confirm eligibility), followed by a baseline questionnaire. If a participant is determined to be eligible following these steps, they may be scheduled for a Telemedicine assessment to further confirm the PD or parkinsonism diagnosis, unless they have been referred directly from a participating neurologist. If confirmed, the participant will be mailed a supply of vitamin D3 800-1000 IU and instructed to take one vitamin D tablet every day for 2 months. Lastly, a Nurse Home Visit will be scheduled and conducted to confirm final eligibility, randomization, and administration of the study drug, if appropriate. Participants who are randomized will be contacted every 4 months for at least 2 years to determine if they have had any fractures.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Men and women age 60 years or older
* Current Parkinson's Disease diagnosis or neurodegenerative parkinsonism diagnosis (including progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, cortical basal degeneration, vascular parkinsonism, dementia with Lewy bodies or another form of neurodegenerative parkinsonism) based on an expert assessment (neurologist diagnosis via medical records confirmation or Telemedicine Screening Assessment)
* Willing and able to continue in follow-up for at least 2 years
* Willing and able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of hip fracture
* Any use of a bisphosphonate drug within the last 12 months
* Use of any other osteoporosis treatment (such as SERMs and denosumab) within the last 6 months
* Tooth extraction or invasive dental procedures within the past 30 days or planned/scheduled extraction/procedure in the next 12 months
* Non-ambulatory, i.e., unable to walk without assistance of another person.
* Undergoing kidney dialysis
* A diagnosis of multiple myeloma or Paget's disease
* Unable to speak or read English sufficiently to complete informed consent
* Any other criteria, which would make the patient unsuitable to participate in this study as determined by the study staff (e.g., an uncontrolled drug and/or alcohol addiction)