Pramipexole in patients with early Parkinson's disease (PROUD): a randomised delayed-start trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In models of dopaminergic neuronal loss, the dopamine agonist pramipexole has exhibited neuroprotective properties. The Pramipexole On Underlying Disease (PROUD) study was designed to identify whether early versus delayed pramipexole initiation has clinical and neuroimaging benefits in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

Between May 24, 2006, and April 22, 2009, at 98 centres, we recruited patients with PD diagnosed within 2 years and aged 30-79 years. We randomly assigned eligible patients (ratio 1:1), by a centralised, computerised randomisation schedule, to receive double-blind either placebo or pramipexole (1·5 mg a day) and followed them up for 15 months. At 9 months, or as early as 6 months if considered necessary, placebo recipients were assigne

SUBMITTER: Schapira AH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3714436 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature