Levetiracetam Administration for the Management of Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesias in Parkinson's Disease

Summary

Levodopa-induced dyskinesias have been associated with irregular oscillatory discharge characteristics of basal ganglia. From the other hand, LEV which shares a different electrophysiologic profile than other antiepileptics, inhibits hyper-synchronization of abnormal neuronal firing in experimental models of epilepsy. LEV also reduces levodopa-induced dyskinesias in MPTP-lesioned macaques and modulates "priming phenomenon" which associated with long-term changes in synaptic function that can lead to dyskinesias in PD. Study objectives : * To evaluate the effects of levetiracetam (LEV) in two doses (500 and 1000mg) vs placebo on disabling dyskinesias that develop as result of long-term treatment with levodopa, occurring at the time of maximal clinical improvement in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). * To evaluate the safety of LEV in patients with PD and antiparkinsonian medication.

Timeline

Start

2006-05

Primary completion

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Completion

2007-10

Drugs

Indications