Effects of Chocolate on Motor Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (ChocoPD)

The recruitment status of this study is unknown because the information has not been verified recently.
Verified May 2010 by Dresden University of Technology.
Recruitment status was  Recruiting
Sponsor:
Information provided by:
Dresden University of Technology
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT00906763
First received: May 20, 2009
Last updated: May 25, 2010
Last verified: May 2010

May 20, 2009
May 25, 2010
May 2009
August 2010   (final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
UPDRS part III [ Time Frame: 1 h after intake of study intervention ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Same as current
Complete list of historical versions of study NCT00906763 on ClinicalTrials.gov Archive Site
Biogenic amines in blood [ Time Frame: 1 to 3 h after study intervention ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Same as current
Not Provided
Not Provided
 
Effects of Chocolate on Motor Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
Effects of Chocolate on Motor Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease - A Monocenter, Prospective, Observer-blinded Interventional Trial

Chocolate consumption has long been associated with enjoyment and pleasure. Popular claims confer on chocolate the properties of being a stimulant, relaxant, euphoriant and antidepressant. These possible pharmacological actions might be related to various biogenic amines, such as serotonin, dopamine, tyramine, histamine, phenylethylamine and cannabinoid-like substances. Most amines are metabolized by monoamineoxidase-A (MAO-A) and are therefore unable to pass the blood-brain-barrier. In contrast, phenylethylamine is a direct dopamine releasing ingredient and as a substrate of MAO-B and due to its lipophilic structure even capable to pass the blood-brain-barrier. Within this line, own clinical observations suggested an increased chocolate consumption in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) compared to healthy subjects and to their pre-disease state.

In a previous study, we assessed the consumption of chocolate and non-chocolate sweets in PD patients and their partners (as household controls) using a self-questionnaire. Consumption of chocolate was significantly higher in PD patients compared to controls, while consumption of non-chocolate sweets was similar in both groups. Our study suggests that chocolate consumption is increased in PD independent of concomitant depressive symptoms measured by BDI-1. Although reasons for increased chocolate consumption in PD remain elusive, it may hypothetically be a consequence of the high content of various biogenic amines as a content of cocoa influencing dopamine metabolism.

Therefore, in the present study we aim to study the effects of dark chocolate with high cocoa content (85%) compared to chocolate without any cocoa (white chocolate) on motor symptoms in PD patients as measured with UPDRS part III (motor score). The principle design of the intervention is similar to the standard pharmacological challenge test for studying effects on motor symptoms in PD (e.g. levodopa challenge test).

Not Provided
Interventional
Not Provided
Allocation: Randomized
Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single Blind (Investigator)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease
Dietary Supplement: Chocolate
A single oral application of 200 grams of chocolate (85% cocoa for arm #1; 0% cocoa for arm #2).
  • Active Comparator: Dark Chocolate (85% cocoa)
    Oral Intake of dark chocolate (85% cocoa) over 15 minutes.
    Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Chocolate
  • Active Comparator: White chocolate (0% cocoa)
    Oral intake of 200 grams of white chocolate (0% cocoa) over 15 Minutes.
    Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Chocolate
Wolz M, Kaminsky A, Löhle M, Koch R, Storch A, Reichmann H. Chocolate consumption is increased in Parkinson's disease. Results from a self-questionnaire study. J Neurol. 2009 Mar;256(3):488-92. Epub 2009 Mar 13.

*   Includes publications given by the data provider as well as publications identified by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number) in Medline.
 
Recruiting
23
October 2010
August 2010   (final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age of 18 Years or older
  • Idiopathic Parkinson's disease, according to UKBB criteria
  • Hoehn & Yahr Score II-III
  • 16 Points or more in UPDRS part III scale
  • Sufficient ability to follow the study procedure for at least 3 hours
  • Ability to give informed consent
  • Stable antiparkinsonian medication for at least 4 weeks prior to study inclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Psychiatric conditions, severe enough to interfere with study procedures
  • motor or affective fluctuations or dyskinesias
  • treatment with COMT and/or MAO inhibitors
  • Diabetes mellitus
Both
18 Years and older
No
Contact: Martin Wolz, MD ++49-351-458 ext 3106 martin.wolz@neuro.med.tu-dresden.de
Contact: Alexander Storch, MD ++49-351-458 ext 2532 alexander.storch@neuro.med.tu-dresden.de
Germany
 
NCT00906763
EK284112008
No
Martin Wolz, MD, Dresden University of Technology
Dresden University of Technology
Not Provided
Principal Investigator: Martin Wolz, MD Dresden University of Technology
Dresden University of Technology
May 2010

ICMJE     Data element required by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and the World Health Organization ICTRP