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Very Early Stage of Parkinson's DiseaseEv-NIRTNCT04261569

Clinical Trial for Near Infrared Endoventricular Illumination for Neuroprotection in Very Early Cases of Parkinson's Disease (Ev-NIRT)

A study testing Ev-NIRT in people with Very Early Stage of Parkinson's Disease, run by University Hospital, Grenoble at 1 site in France.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

Parkinson's disease has only pharmacological (essentially dopaminergic) and surgical treatment (essentially high-frequency deep brain stimulation), that are symptomatically effective. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 25 to 65 years
Conditions the study is for
Very Early Stage of Parkinson's Disease
What is being tested?
Ev-NIRT
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
14 participants
Where
1 siteFrance
Study dates
14 Dec 2020to Apr 2032
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 25 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Clinically diagnosed idiopathic Parkinson's disease according to MDS criteria developed by R.B. Postuma (Anang et al, Neurology, 2014)
  • Dopaminergic denervation confirmed in PET [11C]PE2I with a decrease in tracer fixation at the striatum level of at least 30% on average compared to the white matter fixation of the cerebellum
  • Patients willing to start dopaminergic treatment
  • Very early stage of the disease:
  • Diagnosis of recent Parkinson's disease (less than two years after a neurologist's diagnosis)
  • Hoehn and Yahr Stage 1 to 2
Show all 13Show fewer
  • Maximum 2 tremor on the MDS-UPDRS scale
  • Naive of any anti-Parkinsonian treatment
  • Between 25 and 65 years of age
  • Score on Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale below the value of 20
  • Easy handling of the French language in oral and written language
  • Social security affiliates or beneficiaries of such a scheme
  • Informed and written consent signed by the patient

Who cannot join

  • All categories of protected persons: pregnant woman, parturient, breastfeeding mother, person deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision, person subject to a measure of legal protection, hospitalized for psychiatric disorder
  • Carcinological history in the previous 5 years, not stabilized
  • Uncontrolled medical condition that may lead to complications
  • Preoperative brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showing brain damage that may be responsible for Parkinson's syndrome or a significant surgical risk (e.g. vascular malformation)
  • Surgical or anesthetic contraindication
  • History of brain infection with herpes virus
Show all 15Show fewer
  • Contraindication to MRI (claustrophobia, non-compatible mri metal prosthesis, etc.)
  • Predictable need for frequent use of MRI scans after surgery
  • Unstabilized psychotropic treatment
  • Patient with cognitive impairment at the outset of illness (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score - 26)
  • Atypias suspecting atypical Parkinson's syndrome
  • Chronic treatment with L-Dopa or dopamine agonist
  • Presence of another serious pathology (major depressive episode, suicidal patient, active psychosis ...)
  • Participation in another interventional clinical trial
  • Wearing pace makers other than brain

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

France1 site
  • CLINATEC

    Grenoble, 38000

Other trials in France

About this study

Parkinson's disease has only pharmacological (essentially dopaminergic) and surgical treatment (essentially high-frequency deep brain stimulation), that are symptomatically effective. none of them is curative, and has the ability to slow down the disease and to protect dopaminergic neurons from death by neurodegeneration. Experimental results, based on preclinical studies, suggest that brain illumination in the Near-InfraRed (NIR) range is likely to slow down this neurodegenerative process.

Thus, a medical device system (called Ev-NIRT) has been developed for 670 nm intracerebral illumination of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), and is planned to be tested for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

In this pilot study the investigators will evaluate the feasibility and tolerance of surgery and brain illumination thanks to the Ev-NIRT medical device, in a group of 7 de novo Parkinson's patients implanted with the innovative medical device. Patients will be monitored for 4 years.

Read the detailed description

The level of neuroprotection induced by illumination at 670nm appears effective in preclinical studies, and justify the transfer into a clinical trial. The investigators currently have developed and produced implantable devices, to be implanted into the brain through a minimally invasive endoventricular route. The electrical energy required is supplied by the batteries adapted from those used for deep brain stimulation.

The feasibility of trans ventricular implantation is ensured by the experience gained by our team in the endoventricular stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus in the cluster headache.

In this clinical study, the investigators will evaluate the tolerance and safety of intraventricular surgical technic and illumination by the Ev-NIRT medical device implanted into the brain of 7 patients with Parkinson's disease. idiopathic, aged 25-65 years, at a very early stage (less than 2 years of evolution). The NIR illumination will begin immediately after surgery.

The investigators will also evaluate secondarily, the neuroprotective effect of this new treatment modality, by comparing the decrease of dopaminergic neurons by Positron Emission Tomography (PET)-scan using [11C]PE2I) tracer of implanted patients to that of a control group of 7 patients whose characteristics in terms of duration of evolution and clinical severity are identical, but who are not implanted, and therefore not exposed to NIR illumination.

The PET-scan-PE2I exam is conducted in both groups annually for 4 years (a total of 5 measurements) and compared to the PE2I PET obtained at the beginning of participation in the study. A group-wide comparison will be made between the NIR group and the control group.

Being tested
Ev-NIRT
Keywords
Parkinson's disease (PD), Intraventricular illumination by near-infrared light (Ev-NIRT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta (SNpc), Photobiomodulation, Medical Device (MD)
Medical subject headings
Parkinson Disease

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Ev-NIRTDevice

    Endoventricular near infra red treatment : Intraventricular pulsed, chronic, cyclic, near-infrared illumination of the Central Nervous System (CNS) at 150 Hz, 15 mW, 1 minute ON and 5 minutes OFF

Study groups in NCT04261569
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Illuminated armExperimentalpatients with intraventricular near-infrared light illumination
Receives: Device: Ev-NIRT
control armNo interventionpatients without any medical device

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Incidence of Ev-NIRT Treatment on Emergent Adverse Events (Tolerance) after surgical intervention and NIR illumination following the implantation of the Ev-NIRT medical device

    Emergent Adverse Events [Safety and Tolerability]

    Measured: 4 years

Secondary outcomes (12)
  1. Characterization of annual neuronal loss observed by decrease in tracer fixation at the striatum level

    Annual measurement of dopaminergic denervation in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) using [11C]PE2I tracer fixation at the striatum level in percentage compared to the white matter fixation of the cerebellum

    Measured: 4 years

  2. Evaluation of the motor clinical signs progression

    Scores on the Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS scale sections II, III and IV) [0-100% : higher scores mean worse outcome]

    Measured: 4 years

  3. Evaluation of the non-motor bahavioral signs progression

    Scores on the non-motor scales Behavioral Evaluation in Parkinson's disease (ECMP) [0-4 : higher scores mean worse outcome]

    Measured: 4 years

  4. Evaluation of the non-motor clinical signs progression

    Scores on the non-motor scales Lille Apathy Rating Scale (LARS) [-4/+4 : higher scores mean worse outcome]

    Measured: 4 years

  5. Evaluation of depression signs progression

    Scores on the non-motor scales Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) [0-3 : higher scores mean worse outcome]

    Measured: 4 years

  6. Evaluation of the non-motor symptoms signs progression

    Scores on the non-motor scales Non Motor Symptoms scale (NMS) [0-30 : higher scores mean better outcome]

    Measured: 4 years

  7. Comparison between the date of diagnosis and the date of introduction of substitution therapy with dopaminergic drugs or dopamine agonists

    Time period between the date of diagnosis and the date of introduction of dopaminergic substitute therapy or dopaminergic agonists

    Measured: 4 years

  8. Evolution of this prescription of substitution therapy over the duration of study

    Follow up of dosage of dopaminergic substitute therapy or dopaminergic agonists

    Measured: 4 years

  9. Assessment in both groups of the time it takes for the onset of different motor symptoms (including tremor, akinesia and stiffness, speech, walking and balance disorders) and not motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease in relation to initial diagnosis.

    Time period between the date of diagnosis and the date of onset of different motor and non-motor symptoms objectified by an increase in item scores specific to these symptoms on the Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS scale) passed into OFF drug [0-100% : higher scores mean worse outcome]

    Measured: 4 years

  10. Evolution of the quality of life of patients in both groups

    Parkinson Disease Quotation (PDQ-39) quiz score [0-4 : higher scores mean worse outcome]

    Measured: 4 years

  11. Evolution of walking speed in both patient groups

    Right and left foot speed measured during a walking task on the Vicon platform without and with dopaminergic treatment

    Measured: 4 years

  12. Evolution of walking parameters in both patient groups

    Score in the "freezing of gait" questionnaire [0-24 : higher scores mean worse outcome] without and with dopaminergic treatment

    Measured: 4 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted10 Feb 2020
  2. Study start14 Dec 2020
  3. Primary completionJan 2029 (estimated)
  4. Study completionApr 2032 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
One control arm : patients without any medical device One illuminated arm : patients with intraventricular near-infrared light illumination
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
14 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04261569
Sponsor's protocol ID
38RC19.098
Other IDs
2019-A02097-50
Acronym
Ev-NIRT
Status last verified
Mar 2025
First submitted
27 Jan 2020
Last updated
1 Apr 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Chabardes S, Carron R, Seigneuret E, Torres N, Goetz L, Krainik A, Piallat B, Pham P, David O, Giraud P, Benabid AL. Endoventricular Deep Brain Stimulation of the Third Ventricle: Proof of Concept and Application to Cluster Headache. Neurosurgery. 2016 Dec;79(6):806-815. doi: 10.1227/NEU.0000000000001260.

    PubMed 27244468
  • Darlot F, Moro C, El Massri N, Chabrol C, Johnstone DM, Reinhart F, Agay D, Torres N, Bekha D, Auboiroux V, Costecalde T, Peoples CL, Anastascio HD, Shaw VE, Stone J, Mitrofanis J, Benabid AL. Near-infrared light is neuroprotective in a monkey model of Parkinson disease. Ann Neurol. 2016 Jan;79(1):59-75. doi: 10.1002/ana.24542. Epub 2015 Dec 12.

    PubMed 26456231
  • Moro C, El Massri N, Darlot F, Torres N, Chabrol C, Agay D, Auboiroux V, Johnstone DM, Stone J, Mitrofanis J, Benabid AL. Effects of a higher dose of near-infrared light on clinical signs and neuroprotection in a monkey model of Parkinson's disease. Brain Res. 2016 Oct 1;1648(Pt A):19-26. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.07.005. Epub 2016 Jul 7.

    PubMed 27396907
  • Reinhart F, Massri NE, Chabrol C, Cretallaz C, Johnstone DM, Torres N, Darlot F, Costecalde T, Stone J, Mitrofanis J, Benabid AL, Moro C. Intracranial application of near-infrared light in a hemi-parkinsonian rat model: the impact on behavior and cell survival. J Neurosurg. 2016 Jun;124(6):1829-41. doi: 10.3171/2015.5.JNS15735. Epub 2015 Nov 27.

    PubMed 26613166
  • Johnstone DM, Moro C, Stone J, Benabid AL, Mitrofanis J. Turning On Lights to Stop Neurodegeneration: The Potential of Near Infrared Light Therapy in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease. Front Neurosci. 2016 Jan 11;9:500. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00500. eCollection 2015.

    PubMed 26793049

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Ev-NIRT in people with Very Early Stage of Parkinson's Disease, run by University Hospital, Grenoble at 1 site in France.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 13 inclusion and 15 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Incidence of Ev-NIRT Treatment on Emergent Adverse Events (Tolerance) after surgical intervention and NIR illumination following the implantation of the Ev-NIRT medical device (time frame: 4 years). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04261569, which also lists 5 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Apr 2025.

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