What the trial was testing
The trial enrolled 75 patients with parkinson's disease. The study was sponsored by Georgetown University and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was mid-stage testing (phase 2/3). Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
The lower dose reduced alpha-synuclein clumps, a hallmark of Parkinson's, in brain fluid.
JAMA neurology · 2020 · NCT02954978
These findings — that nearly half of patients on 300mg had serious side effects versus 16% on placebo — were published in the JAMA neurology and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 75 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with parkinson's disease, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
This was a mid-stage study showing nilotinib can reach the brain and affect chemicals involved in Parkinson's, but more serious side effects occurred with the drug compared to placebo. The treatment is not FDA-approved for Parkinson's. Larger studies are needed to know if it actually slows the disease. Talk to your doctor about proven Parkinson's treatments.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open parkinson's disease trials
Action Observation and Motor Imagery Therapy in Parkinson's Disease
In recent years, motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) therapy strategies have been used in rehabilitation programs to increase motor learning in Parkinson's disease (PD). Visuomotor training strategies such as AO and MI therapy rely on the activity of the mirror neuron system to facilitate motor re-learning. Mirror neurons are activated during the performance of goal-directed actions, also when observing the same action and visualizing the action in the mind. The aim of this clinical trial is to test whether the application of AO and MI treatment in PD in addition to conventional rehabilitation programs has an additional effect on Balance, Functional Status and Quality of Life.
A Digital Therapeutic Platform for Swallowing and Drooling Problems in Parkinson's
The purpose of this study is the development and early-stage validation of a wearable sensor for dysphagia in patients with PD.