Intranasal Glutathione in Parkinson's Disease

Individuals will be randomized to one of three treatment (100 mg GSH/ ml, 200 mg GSH/ ml, or placebo) arms in a double-blind fashion. All study medication will be administered 1 ml three times daily for three months, with a one-month wash out.

• Intranasal glutathione - (in)GSH (Drug): Intranasal glutathione-Tripeptide glutathione 100 mg/ml. 1 ml 3x per day TID X 12 weeks at 2100mg in 15 participants
• Intranasal glutathione - (in)GSH (Drug): Intranasal Glutathione-Tripeptide glutathione - 200mg/ml. 1 ml 3x per day TID X 12 weeks at 4200mg in 15 participants
• Saline Intranasal Delivery (Drug): Saline administration 1ml 3x/day 12 weeks in 15 participants

Primary outcomes

• Determination of Safety [12 weeks]: 1a. Laboratory monitoring for adverse events will include CBC, ALT, AST, BUN, creatinine, uric acid, and urinalysis. Data will be collected throughout the 12-week intervention and at 1-mo following cessation of the study medication. 1b. Clinical adverse events will be measured using a daily patient diary and record score cards specifically screening for sinus irritation. Monitoring of Side Effects System (MOSES) will be used to screen for systemic and generalized adverse events. 1c. Effect on PD symptoms will be measured by the UPDRS to screen for accelerated disease activity.
• Determination of Tolerability [12 weeks]: Participants will be asked to keep a daily log and unused study medication will be measured at each clinical visit. Tolerability will be measured by frequency and severity of reported adverse events and withdrawal from study. The goal will be to identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) which will be defined as the highest dose achieving adherence, as defined as 80% of the group taking the prescribed dose 80% of the time.

Secondary outcomes

• Description of systemic absorption characteristics [12 weeks]: Red blood cell GSH levels will be measured at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks.

Sex: All, ages: 21 Years to 100 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease made by neurologist within previous 10 years
2. Modified Hoehn and Yahr Stage <3
3. Age >20
4. Subjects must be able to attend study visits at screening, baseline, weeks 4, 8, 12, 16
5. Subjects must be able to demonstrate self-administration of study medication or have active caregiver who can administer daily.
6. Dose and frequency of all pharmaceutical medications must be stable for one month prior to enrollment.
7. Diet, exercise and supplementation must be kept constant throughout participation in study
8. Ability to read and speak English

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Dementia as evidenced by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) <24
2. Diseases with features common to Parkinson's Disease (eg. essential tremor, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy)
3. Epilepsy
4. History of stroke, CVA
5. Elevated levels of ALT, AST, BUN or creatinine
6. Chronic sinusitis as defined by SNOT-20 score >1.0 on items 1-10.
7. Presence of other serious illness
8. History of brain surgery
9. History of structural brain damage
10. History of intranasal telangiectasia
11. Supplementation with glutathione and agents shown to increase glutathione will not be permitted and will require a 90 day washout period.
12. Pregnant or at risk of becoming pregnant.

• Laurie Mischley, ND, Principal investigator, Bastyr University

NIH grants: K01AT004404