Effects of sugar on metabolism and symptoms in Parkinson's patients

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study investigates how fast-acting carbohydrates, particularly sugars, influence insulin and glucose levels, as well as motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Participants will undergo both an oral glucose tolerance test and a placebo test in a crossover design to assess these effects. The study aims to understand the relationship between sugar intake and clinical symptoms in PD patients, particularly those who report increased cravings for sweets. By examining these factors, the research seeks to provide insights into dietary influences on PD symptoms.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, stage Hoehn \& Yahr 1.5-3
* Ability to pause antiparkinsonian medication in the morning without relevant impairment
* Capacity to give consent (determined in doubt by two independent neurologists, MOCA ≥18) and written informed consent.
* Patients are between 50 and 80 years of age, with exceptions for a maximum of 5 additional patients enrolled per group
* For stratification into patients with and without sweet craving, a 3-day dietary protocol should be completed once by the patients
* Group I: increased hunger for sweets.
* Group II: no increased hunger for sweets.

For the stratification into patients with and without increased hunger for sweets, participants are asked to answer the following questions:

1. Do you have sudden attacks of cravings for sweets?
2. Would you say that your consumption of sweet food has increased in recent years?
3. Would you describe your consumption of sugary food as increased or excessive?

If one of the questions is answered with yes, participants will be assigned to group I, if all questions are answered with no, participants will be assigned to group II.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Other significant neurological diseases primarily affecting the central nervous system (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
* Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or prediabetes
* Use of medications that affect glucose metabolism, such as antidiabetics, glucocorticoids, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, sirolimus, beta-blockers, thiazide diuretics, beta-2 adrenoreceptor agonists, theophylline, Clozapine, olanzapine, paliperidone, quetiapine, risperidone, tricyclic antidepressants, mirtazapine, mianserin, carbamazepine, gabapentin, pregabalin, valproic acid, lithium, antiretroviral drugs, statins
* cardiac or brain pacemakers

Where it's running

• Department for Neurology, University of Kiel
  Kiel, Germany Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Eva Schäffer, MD
• Email: eva.schaeffer@uksh.de
• Phone: 004943150023983

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.