Dear Ibby Kenna,

Thank you for your interest. As you might already know, Isradipine is already a FDA approved medication for high blood pressure and there is scientific evidence from animal studies that it is a potential neuroprotective agent. The study we are currently completing is to establish the safety and tolerability of this drug in patients with Parkinson's which have normal blood pressure. We are not testing the efficacy of Isradipine for Parkinson's in this current study. It is important that this safety study be completed before the neuroprotective efficacy study. I just wanted to make you aware that we are only recruiting in the Chicago area for this study.

Once this safety study is completed, the next step will be to move on to the efficacy study which will involve many different sites. Although we can not give an exact start date of the efficacy study as it depends on many factors, we are hoping to get it started within a year.


I also wanted to make you are aware of a great resource

www.pdtrials.org , this website lists all current PD trial being run and at which locations. You can do a search based on areas close to your home. Once the efficacy trials begin (and it will be in multiple sites), that information will be posted there. You can always check our website at www.parkinsons.northwestern.edu for updates.

If I can answer any other questions or if you ever want an update on the status of this or future studies relating to, you can e-mail me at a-martel@northwestern.edu or reach me by phone at (312) 503-2593.


Thank you.

Audrey Martel

Clinical Research Coordinator

Northwestern University

Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center 710 N. Lake Shore Dr., Abbott Hall, 11th Floor Chicago, Il. 60611

P: (312) 503-2593

F: (312 503-0787

A-Martel@northwestern.edu