ACADIA Pharmaceuticals has released data on NUPLAZID, a selective serotonin inverse agonist and antagonist preferentially targeting 5-HT2A receptors. This treatment is meant to treat Parkinson’s disease patients, specifically the delusions and hallucinations associated with psychosis. Data from an open-label extension study demonstrates that the treatment results in a “sustained efficacy response.” You can find the full study in Parkinsonism and Related Disorders.
About the Study
Patients were invited to participate in this open-label extension study after they had already taken part in one of three placebo-controlled, six-week, double-blind trials. 459 patients ended up enrolling in the extension. Its purpose was to investigate the long-term safety and efficacy of NUPLAZID, which was done by using the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Improvement and Severity scales, and Hallucinations + Delusions domains.
All 459 patients were given 34 mg of NUPLAZID, regardless of whether they were taking the placebo or NUPLAZID in the initial trials. In those who had already been using ACADIA’s drug, the response was sustained four weeks into the extension trial. In the placebo group, improvement was seen after switching to NUPLAZID.
In terms of adverse events, they were experienced by 48.6% of participants. Of these 215, only 27 discontinued the trial due to adverse effects. The majority of these effects were mild to moderate in severity, with examples like hallucinations, insomnia, UTIs, falling, and peripheral edema. Only 1.5% of participants experienced a severe adverse event.
Looking Forward
As about half of those impacted by Parkinson’s disease experience non-motor symptoms like hallucinations, this data is extremely exciting. NUPLAZID can significantly help those with Parkinson’s disease psychosis, and this open-label extension study proves that.
About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the central nervous system (CNS). It is characterized by its effect on movement through five different stages. As the disease progresses, severity increases. Stage one is characterized by subtle tremors on one side of the body. In stage two symptoms are more noticeable, with tremors and rigidity on both sides of the body. Stage three brings loss of balance and slowed movement. Stage four makes it impossible for one to live independently. Stage five is the most severe, as patients cannot stand or walk. Hallucinations and delusions are common symptoms of this stage.
Parkinson’s disease occurs due to the death of motor neurons, some of which produce dopamine. Dopamine is important in the transmittance of messages to the muscles from the brain, so the loss of dopamine results in the loss of motor functions. Abnormal brain activity occurs when these neurons are lost. Doctors do not know why these motor neurons die, but they do suspect a few factors that play a role, such as genetics, environmental factors like toxins, and Lewy bodies.
Find the source article here.
