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Parkinson DiseasePhase 2FDOPAOMNCT05103618

Effect of Meditation and Controls and Subjects With Parkinson's Disease on Brain Activity Measured by fMRI With FDOPA

A Phase 2 study testing [F-18] Fluorodopa Positron Emission Tomography and OM Meditation in people with Parkinson Disease and Idiopathic Parkinson Disease, run by Andrew Newberg at 1 site in United States.

Withdrawn

Withdrawn. The study stopped before anyone enrolled.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this research is to use 18 F Fluorodopa positron emission tomography (FDOPA PET) to measure dopamine function, and utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in persons with Parkinson's disease. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 25 years and older
What is being tested?
[F-18] Fluorodopa Positron Emission Tomography and OM Meditation
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
0 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
8 Jul 2021to 21 Jul 2025
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

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 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Inclusion Criteria:(Control Group: 6 healthy, normal couple pairs)

  1. No clinical diagnosis of PD
  2. Age 25 years old and older
  3. Physically independent, ambulatory
  4. Women of childbearing potential will confirm a negative pregnancy test and must practice effective contraception during the period of pilot study. In addition, male subjects who have a partner of childbearing age should practice effective contraception.

Inclusion Criteria for Female Partner in Couple Pairs in Parkinson's Group who has Parkinson's Disease

  1. Clinical diagnosis of PD in female partner
  2. Age 30 years old and older
  3. Physically independent, ambulatory
  4. Hoehn and Yahr score of I-III inclusive.
  5. On stable antiparkinsonian medication for at least one month
  6. Women of childbearing potential will confirm a negative pregnancy test and must practice effective contraception during the period of pilot study. In addition, male subjects who have a partner of childbearing age should practice effective contraception.

Inclusion Criteria for Second Partner with No PD in Couple Pairs in Parkinson's Group

  1. No clinical diagnosis of PD
  2. Age 25 years old and older
  3. Physically independent, ambulatory
  4. Women of childbearing potential will confirm a negative pregnancy test and must practice effective contraception during the period of pilot study. In addition, male subjects who have a partner of childbearing age should practice effective contraception.

Exclusion Criteria: (In Control Couple Pairs and in Couple Pairs Group in which the Female member has PD)

  1. Previous brain surgery.
  2. Cognitive impairment by evaluation or known score on Mini-Mental Status examination of 25 or lower.
  3. Wheelchair-bound or bed-ridden, non-ambulatory.
  4. Intracranial abnormalities that may complicate interpretation of the brain scans (e.g., stroke, tumor, vascular abnormality affecting the target area).
  5. Diagnosis of traumatic brain injury with significant impairment.
  6. Any medical disorder or physical condition that could reasonably be expected to interfere with the assessment of parkinsonian syndrome symptoms, or with any of the study assessments including the PET-MRI imaging.
  7. No metal in their body that would prevent MRI scanning (as determined by the PI).
  8. Subjects with evidence of a significant psychiatric disorder by history/examination that would prevent completion of the study will not be allowed to participate.
  9. Subjects with current alcohol or drug abuse.
  10. Pregnant or lactating women.
  11. Enrollment in active clinical trial/ experimental therapy within the prior 30 days.
  12. Pending surgery during the course of the study.
  13. History of thrombocytopenia or clotting disorders.
  14. Cancer patients receiving active chemotherapy.
  15. History of uncontrolled diabetes and/or thyroid conditions.
  16. History of severe kidney disease (if a subject reports this problem, a serum creatinine will be checked to assess glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and if it is less than 30, they will be excluded).

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site

  • Thomas Jefferson University, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Centers

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Evaluating the Physiological and Psychological Effects of a Novel Meditation Technique on Cerebral Activity Measured With Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging(fMRI) and F-18 Fluorodopa PET Imaging

The purpose of this research is to use 18 F Fluorodopa positron emission tomography (FDOPA PET) to measure dopamine function, and utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in persons with Parkinson's disease.

The overall goal of this study will be to further the understanding of the effects of a novel meditation technique called orgasmic meditation (OM) on these neurophysiological parameters.

Read the detailed description

The overall goal of this study is to further the understanding of the physiological and psychological effects and dopaminergic function of OM in couple pairs in a control group and in couples in which one member has Parkinson's disease (PD). This study will utilize F-18 Fluorodopa (FDOPA) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging which utilizes an experimental radioactive tracer called FDOPA which helps to evaluate the activity in the dopamine neurons in the brain. A secondary goal of this study is to determine whether undergoing OM meditation alters body or brain physiology, and to measure whether there is an effect on intimacy and sexual dysfunction in women with PD.

This study is designed to understand the changes that occurs when subjects undergo intense meditation or meditation induced by sensory stimulation and structured touch. This study is designed to allow researchers to understand the changes in couple-pairs that occur when subjects undergo a shared meditation practice. Since meditation practices are widely used by individuals, the Investigators hope that a better understanding of the effects of meditation practices will provide information regarding potential clinical uses.

80 subjects will be enrolled (6 healthy couple pairs) and 30 couple pairs in which one female member has PD. The Investigators will also for a 10% attrition to enroll a total of 72 subjects.

For evaluation of the dopamine function, [F-18] Fluorodopa (FDOPA), dose (5-10 millicurie (mCi), ± 20%) will be injected intravenously into an antecubital vein. Subjects will be premedicated with 200 mg of carbidopa orally approximately one hour prior to injection.

FDOPA has been available for over 30 years but has not been previously approved for commercial use by the FDA. The Investigators will be obtaining the FDOPA from the University of Pennsylvania cyclotron that has produced FDOPA for many Investigational New Drug applications (INDs) It will also be beneficial to assess whether there are specific changes in levels of different molecules that are related to energy consumption and oxidative stress. Proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) has been previously performed in Parkinson's disease (PD) and parkinsonian syndromes to evaluate in vivo concentrations of basal ganglia and cerebral cortex metabolites such as N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), and creatine (Cr).

Being tested
[F-18] Fluorodopa Positron Emission Tomography, OM Meditation
Keywords
Alternative Medicine, Complementary Medicine, Parkinson's disease, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Idiopathic Parkinson's disease, Central Nervous System Diseases, Movement Disorders, [F-18] Fluorodopa, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy PET, Positron Emission Tomography, Dopaminergic Function
Medical subject headings
Parkinson Disease, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Central Nervous System Diseases, Movement Disorders

What participants receive

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

  • [F-18] Fluorodopa Positron Emission TomographyDrug

    Also called FDOPA PET/MRI

    Subjects will receive FDOPA imaging at baseline and 2-3 months after practicing the OM Meditation for evaluation of the dopamine function, [F-18] Fluorodopa (FDOPA), dose (5-10 mCi, ± 20%) will be injected intravenously into an antecubital vein. In accordance with the standard imaging protocol for FDOPA; subjects will be pre-medicated with 200 mg of carbidopa orally approximately one hour prior to injection.

  • OM MeditationBehavioural

    Couple pairs will engage in OM Meditation together approximately 3-4 times a week approximately 2-3 months.

Study groups in NCT05103618
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Healthy Control Couple PairsActive comparatorAll healthy control subjects, 6 couple pairs (12 subjects) healthy controls in which neither member has Parkinson's Disease will receive a baseline and follow up FDOPA PET scan. All subjects will be asked to complete the surveys. The control group will receive training materials in the practice of OM which the couple will be asked to practice for the next 2-3 months. The couple-pair will begin the OM practice initially (in between the baseline and follow up scans. FDOPA scans and surveys will be conducted with both members of the couple pair at approximately 2-3 months.
Receives: Behavioral: OM Meditation
Active Couple Pairs Parkinson's GroupActive comparator15 Couple pairs (30 subjects) in which one female member has a diagnosis of PD. The female subject will undergo the baseline scan. Both members of the couple will complete surveys. The active group will receive training materials in the practice of OM which they will be asked to practice for the next 2-3 months The active couple-pair will begin the OM practice initially (in between the baseline and follow up). FDOPA scans will be conducted with female members with PD the couple pair at approximately 2-3 months.
Receives: Drug: [F-18] Fluorodopa Positron Emission Tomography; Behavioral: OM Meditation
Waitlist Couple Pairs Parkinson's GroupOther15 Couple pairs (30 subjects) in which one female member has a diagnosis of PD. The female subject will undergo the baseline scan. Both members of the couple will complete surveys The waitlist period in which the female member with PD will continue to receive standard of care for those 2-3 months; who then receive follow up scan. After the follow up scan, the waitlist group may be trained in the practice of OM for the next two months (but there will not be an additional FDOPA scan). Couple-pairs in the waitlist group will be asked to complete surveys at baseline and follow up scan and again after completing the OM Meditation practice. Couple pairs will engage in OM Meditation together approximately 3-4 times a week after the baseline and follow up scans for 2-3 months but female subjects with PD will not receive and additional post OM Meditation FDOPA scan
Receives: Drug: [F-18] Fluorodopa Positron Emission Tomography

What is being measured

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

  1. FDOPA PET

    The primary outcome measure will be the specific uptake values at 3 to 4 hours post administration, when the distribution of FDOPA has approached a transient, near equilibrium like state that reflects the ratio of k3/k4, which is related to binding potential. This allows for a quantitative assessment of dopamine activity.

    Measured: Subjects will receive FDOPA imaging at baseline

  2. FDOPA PET

    The primary outcome measure will be the specific uptake values at 3 to 4 hours post administration, when the distribution of FDOPA has approached a transient, near equilibrium like state that reflects the ratio of k3/k4, which is related to binding potential. This allows for a quantitative assessment of dopamine activity.

    Measured: Change from Baseline at 60-90 days ( approximately 2-3 months) to access changes in Dopaminergic Function.]

Timeline

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

  1. First posted2 Nov 2021
  2. Study start8 Jul 2021
  3. Primary completion21 Jul 2025
  4. Study completion21 Jul 2025

Why it stopped: funding not obtained

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 2
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Model description
This is an Open Label study. Subjects will be assigned a study number that will be used on the research files. Two group of couple pairs will be enrolled into this study: one group will be healthy couple pairs in which neither member has PD. The other couple pairs will include a female member with PD. For subjects who are enrolled in the meditation training programs couple pairs in which the female member has PD may be assigned to an active group or a waitlist control group.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
0 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05103618
Sponsor's protocol ID
21D.632
Acronym
FDOPAOM
Status last verified
Sep 2025
First submitted
21 Oct 2021
Last updated
19 Sep 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: After each participant completes the study, study scan data will be shared with co-investigators; participants may receive a copy of each scan after study completion.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing [F-18] Fluorodopa Positron Emission Tomography and OM Meditation in people with Parkinson Disease and Idiopathic Parkinson Disease, run by Andrew Newberg at 1 site in United States.

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

Who may be eligible to take part?

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: withdrawn, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Sep 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 United States. 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.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study was withdrawn before enrolling participants, so there are no results.

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?

FDOPA PET (time frame: Subjects will receive FDOPA imaging at baseline). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT05103618.

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 19 Sep 2025.

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