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

Influence of Glucose on Metabolism and Clinical Symptoms of Patients With Parkinson's Disease

This study tests how eating sugar affects insulin and symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease to see if it has any impact on their condition.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Ages: 50 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Kiel)
• Trial ID: NCT05998772 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged 50 to 80 with a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease and varying levels of sweet cravings.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced Parkinson's Disease or those unable to pause their antiparkinsonian medication may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to dietary recommendations that improve the management of Parkinson's Disease symptoms.

How similar studies have performed: While there is emerging evidence regarding dietary influences on Parkinson's Disease, this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

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 this trial is running

Kiel

• Department for Neurology, University of Kiel — Kiel, Germany (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Eva Schäffer, MD

Conditions Parkinson Disease; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Sugar Intake