好色先生

好色先生

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Abstract Details

Varenicline for the Treatment of Imbalance in Parkinson’s Disease
Movement Disorders
S41 - Parkinson's Disease Interventions and Clinical Trials (1:48 PM-2:00 PM)
005
To determine if varenicline is effective for improving balance in Parkinson’s disease (PD). 
Incidence of imbalance-related falls is estimated at 68% for patients with PD. While dopamine replacement effectively treats PD motor symptoms, it has little effect on balance. Varenicline, a partial α4β2 agonist and full α7 agonist originally developed for smoking cessation, has been shown in initial studies to improve gait function and balance for patients with ataxia. 
This was an investigator-initiated, double-blind, placebo-controlled study testing the effect of varenicline on balance in PD. Participants with a confirmed diagnosis of PD were randomized to receive varenicline or placebo for eight weeks. After dose escalation, subjects took 1mg of drug twice daily until the end of study. Patients with severe tremor were excluded. Primary outcome was change on the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) from baseline to eight weeks. The BBS is a fourteen-item measure consisting of basic balance tasks. The study had a secondary, exploratory outcome of change in cognition, measured with the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) from baseline to eight weeks. The FAB is a six item measure of executive functioning. 
Thirty-six participants were randomized (82% men, 100% Caucasian). Average age was 71.0(±8.1) years. Average baseline UPDRS was 34.7 (±11.6). There were no significant differences between treatment groups on the BBS (F[1,28]=2.85,p =0.10), FAB (F[1,24]=0.20,p=0.66), or MMSE (F[1,26]=2.66,p=0.12). 

In contrast to previous research, the results did not suggest varenicline had any effect on balance for patients with PD. Furthermore, varenicline did not appear to impact cognition. Perhaps if an objective measure of balance, such as posturography, had been used as the primary outcome measure, the results would have been significant. However, the authors do not recommend further study based on the current results. 
Authors/Disclosures

PRESENTER 		No disclosure on file
Glenn T. Stebbins, PhD (Rush University Medical Center) Dr. Stebbins has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. Dr. Stebbins has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Partners Healthcare System. Dr. Stebbins has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for CHDI. The institution of Dr. Stebbins has received research support from Department of Defense. Dr. Stebbins has received research support from Cleveland Clinic Health Systems. Dr. Stebbins has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Course Director with MDS.
Sachin Kapur, MD (Chicago Movement Specialists, LLC) No disclosure on file
Christina L. Vaughan, MD, MHS (University of Colorado, School of Medicine) Dr. Vaughan has nothing to disclose.
Deborah Hall, MD, PhD, FAAN (Rush University) Dr. Hall has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for 好色先生. Dr. Hall has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Elsevier - Parkinsonism and Related Disorders. Dr. Hall has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Annals of Neurology. The institution of Dr. Hall has received research support from Parkinson's Foundation. The institution of Dr. Hall has received research support from CHDI. The institution of Dr. Hall has received research support from Uniqure. The institution of Dr. Hall has received research support from NIH.