Nicotine Patch Did Not Slow Parkinson Disease Progression

A placebo-controlled trial shows no benefit and potential harm.

The mystery remains unsolved as to why smokers develop Parkinson disease (PD) less often than nonsmokers. Some have speculated that nicotine content in cigarettes may be neuroprotective. In this study, the authors performed a randomized, double-blind, multicenter investigation of transdermal nicotine patch (up to 28 mg daily, as tolerated) versus placebo patch in 163 dopaminergic-naive patients with very early PD, of whom 101 completed the primary outcome assessment. The primary outcome was the change in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Total Rating Scale score from baseline to 60 weeks. After 52 weeks of treatment, subjects underwent wash-out of all study medications.

The primary outcome worsened by 3.5 points in the placebo group and by 6.0…

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)