A report in a British newspaper, entitled "Parkinson's pair Walk Again", describes two women who have been given a new treatment. Both have had an operation to fit tubes through which, levodopa is pumped directly into the BOWEL!!! Both were wheelchair bound, and both are now walking normally.
The tube is connected to a pump, worn on the waist, that supplies a steady stream of levodopa through the day.The system, made by a Belgian firm, costs $52,000 per year!! The article states the system is only suitable for those who have not responded to other treatments. It is estimated that about 1,000 people with PD in the UK could benefit from the treatment.
The levodopa bypasses the stomach. I am no medic, and I don't understand how it gets to the brain. Any ideas??
Ron

this is also called Duodopa, do a search on that for lots of info.

Aftermathman.

Parkinson's pair walk again after drug switch
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ad.php?t=12478

This full article is here.

A phase III trial is coming to the U.S. in a few months. I called on this one as there are two locations in Florida, and I am very interested. My thyroid may disqualify me but I'm still encouraged that it is a Phase III trial.

From the PDPipeline database: Duodopa

Treatment Information
Treatment Name Duodopa
Symptoms Addressed Balance Bradykinesia Cognitive Problems
Treats general (not specified) PD symptoms Tremor

Trial Type
Treatment of Motor Symptoms

Trial Type Notes
As of January 2007, U.S. phase III clinical trial is planned, but recruitment has not started. (clinicaltrials.gov) A call was made in Jan. 2007 to the recruitment contact number. Advised to call back "in a few months."

Treatment Class Levodopa

Treatment Description "Treatment based on continuous dopaminergic stimulation by means of a formulation of levodopa and carbidopa, dispersed as a viscous gel. Using a patient-operated portable pump, the drug is continuously delivered via a tube directly into the upper small intestine, where it is rapidly absorbed. This delivery system ensures a more even supply and uptake compared with the conventional combination of tablet treatment." (Solvay web site)

Intended for people in late stages of Parkinson's.

Foreign Market Info DUODOPA is authorized for "treating advanced Parkinson’s disease in 28 European countries - Sweden, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Italy, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, and Slovakia." Received orphan drug status (press release 12/05)

Treatment Status In Clinical Trials (Outside US)
Recruiting Status (For current trial recruitment information see PDTrials.org )Trial is not recruiting Patients

Comments NeoPharma was acquired by Solvay Pharmaceuticals in Jan. 2005.

Phase IV trials are underway in Sweden and Norway. They are recruiting patients in Sweden for Phase IV study of "Continuous Delivery of Levodopa in Patients With Advanced Idiopathic Parkinsons Disease - Cost-Benefit."
Trial information available at: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00272688?order=2 and

in Norway for phase IV trial "DAPHNE (Duodopa in Advanced Parkinson’s: Health Outcomes & Net Economic Impact)."
Trial information available at: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/sho...der=1Sponsor(s)

Sponsor (click for details) URLPrimary Sponsor
Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Subsidiary of Solvay SAhttp://www.solvay.com/

There is more info about the clinical trials thus far in the pipeline database.
Paula

This trial was carried out at a hospital in Norwich, Norfolk in the UK which is just 45 miles from where I live and consequently was covered extensively on our local TV and in the local press. To start with the Levodopa was fed into the digestive system via a tube through the nose and once it was proved to work ok this was substituted for a direct tube feed into the upper bowel.
One of the articles also refered to a recent trial in the USA for Levodopa patches. The basic idea being the same as the tube feed ie, to deliver Levodopa at a steady rate whilst maximising the amount absorbed into the blood stream. I know patches have existed for a while to deliver Agonists but as many of us cannot tolerate these drugs the Levodopa patch development could be excellent news and it is slightly less invasive than a tube into the bowel!!
Oh the joys of PD........

Chris

This may be an ignorant statement, but wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to, well, uh, stick it where the sun don't shine?

I wonder if there would be better absorbtion in the colon than in the stomach?

Robert

But that is a very good question. If I understand correctly, there are two problems with the stomach: lack of absorption and degradation by enzymes. I am sure that the colon-rectal absoption is good or there would be no suppositories. One might even try an enema vehicle with a crushed tablet. But the controlled release or standard, I wonder? And might there be something that enhanced absorption as well?