Effect of Ropinirole Hydrochloride in Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy of Unverricht-Lundborg Type
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00639119 |
Recruitment Status : Unknown
Verified February 2008 by University of Turku.
Recruitment status was: Enrolling by invitation
First Posted : March 19, 2008
Last Update Posted : March 19, 2008
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The progressive myoclonus epilepsy of the Unverricht-Lundborg disease (ULD) type is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by progressive stimulus-sensitive and action-related myoclonic jerks.
The mainstay of the current treatment in myoclonic epilepsies including ULD are valproic acid and clonazepam among several other antiepileptic drugs. Unfortunately the disease may often be resistant to antiepileptic drugs leading to major reductions in daily activities and disability to walk without assistance. Therefore new treatment modalities are needed. Experimental treatments of ULD patients with dopamine agonists have relieved myoclonic symptoms. Further, in accordance with this, a recent study indicates decreased dopaminergic neurotransmission in the basal ganglia of ULD patients, determined by PET.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of dopaminergic medication (ropinirole hydrochloride, Requip ®) on relieving the symptoms of ULD patients. Patients will undergo sixteen weeks intervention period. The main efficacy determinants are changes in unified myoclonus rating scale (UMRS), nerve conduction, multi-modality evoked potentials including visual evoked potential (VEP), somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP), blink reflex habituation and electroencephalography (EEG). Tolerability and the safety of the medication are determined. The study setting is placebo controlled, crossover, two-group and double blind study.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Unverricht-Lundborg Syndrome | Drug: Ropinirole | Phase 2 |
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 16 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Crossover Assignment |
Masking: | Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Effect of Ropinirole Hydrochloride in Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy of Unverricht-Lundborg Type |
Study Start Date : | August 2007 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | August 2008 |

- Drug: Ropinirole
8 + 8 weeks cross-over placebo controlled
- Unified myoclonus rating scale [ Time Frame: 3 ]

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 70 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Unverricht-Lundborg Syndrome
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnancy
- Intolerability to ropinirole hydrochloride
- Mental illness

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00639119
Finland | |
Turku university central hospital, Department of neurology | |
Turku, Finland, 20520 |
Responsible Party: | Matti Karvonen, MD, PhD, Department of Neurology, Turku University Hospital |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00639119 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
ERPME01 |
First Posted: | March 19, 2008 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | March 19, 2008 |
Last Verified: | February 2008 |
Epilepsy Epilepsies, Myoclonic Myoclonic Epilepsies, Progressive Unverricht-Lundborg Syndrome Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases Epilepsy, Generalized Epileptic Syndromes Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System |
Neurodegenerative Diseases Genetic Diseases, Inborn Ropinirole Antiparkinson Agents Anti-Dyskinesia Agents Dopamine Agonists Dopamine Agents Neurotransmitter Agents Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action Physiological Effects of Drugs |