In low-income areas worldwide, most patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) cannot afford
long-term Levodopa therapy. A potential therapeutic option for them is the use of a legume
called Mucuna Pruriens var. Utilis (MP), which has seeds with a high levodopa content (5-6%)
and grows in all tropical areas of the world. MP powder is very cheap (total annual cost for
a PD patient: 10-15 US $). The aim of this study is to assess efficacy and tolerability of
acute and chronic use of MP compared to standard Levodopa therapy.
The primary objective of this study is to investigate efficacy of acute levodopa challenge
using MP in comparison to levodopa with a Dopa Decarboxylase Inhibitor (LD+DDCI) and without
(LD-DDCI) and placebo.
The secondary objectives are to investigate safety of acute intake of MP as well as efficacy
and safety of chronic intake of MP over a 8-week period in comparison to usual LD+DDCI home
therapy.
Phase:
Phase 2
Details
Lead Sponsor:
ASST Gaetano Pini-CTO
Collaborators:
Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson Grisons Foundation for Parkinson's Disease
Treatments:
Benserazide Benserazide, levodopa drug combination Levodopa