A pilot clinical trial of creatine and minocycline in early Parkinson disease: 18-month results

Clin Neuropharmacol. 2008 May-Jun;31(3):141-50. doi: 10.1097/WNF.0b013e3181342f32.

Abstract

Objective: To report an 18-month follow-up on creatine and minocycline futility study, the Neuroprotective Exploratory Trials in Parkinson Disease, Futility Study 1 (NET-PD FS-1).

Background: The NET-PD FS-1 futility study on creatine and minocycline found neither agent futile in slowing down the progression of disability in Parkinson disease (PD) at 12 months using the prespecified futility threshold. An additional 6 months of follow-up aimed to assess safety and potential interactions of the study interventions with antiparkinsonian therapy.

Methods: Additional 6 months of follow-up in randomized, blinded phase II trial of creatine (dosage, 10 g/d) and minocycline (dosage, 200 mg/d) in subjects with early PD.

Results: By 18 months, symptomatic treatment of PD symptoms was required in 61% of creatine, 62% of minocycline, and 60% of placebo-treated subjects. Study treatment was prematurely discontinued in 9%, 23%, and 6% of subjects in the creatine, minocycline, and placebo arms, respectively. Creatine and minocycline did not seem to adversely influence the response to symptomatic therapy nor increase adverse events.

Conclusions: Data from this small, 18-month phase II trial of creatine and minocycline do not demonstrate safety concerns that would preclude a large, phase III efficacy trial, although the decreased tolerability of minocycline is a concern.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Creatine / therapeutic use*
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Disease Progression
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Minocycline / therapeutic use*
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Minocycline
  • Creatine