Objective: To determine if the calcium channel blockers, amlodipine can augment the effect of botulinum toxin injections in the treatment of focal dystonia.

Study Population: 20 patients with cervical dystonia, 20 patients with focal hand dystonia; 40 healthy volunteers.

Design: Double-bind, placebo-controlled clinical trail.

Outcome measures: For patients: dystonia rating scales (Twistrs, Fahn-Marsden dystonia scale, NINDS subjective patient rating scale), and hand grip strength. For healthy volunteers: Amplitude of EDB MEP.

Condition	Treatment or Intervention	Phase
Focal Dystonia	Drug: Amlodipine plus Botulinum toxin	Phase II

Further Study Details: 

Expected Total Enrollment:  70

Objective: To determine if the calcium channel blockers, amlodipine can augment the effect of botulinum toxin injections in the treatment of focal dystonia.

Study Population: 20 patients with cervical dystonia, 20 patients with focal hand dystonia; 40 healthy volunteers.

Design: Double-bind, placebo-controlled clinical trail.

Outcome measures: For patients: dystonia rating scales (Twistrs, Fahn-Marsden dystonia scale, NINDS subjective patient rating scale), and hand grip strength. For healthy volunteers: Amplitude of EDB MEP.

Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Good general health
Focal hand dystonia or cervical dystonia
Stable response to botulinum toxin demonstrated through a series of at least 3 injections over a period of at least a year
Benefit from the 3 immediately prior btx injections rated as 75% or less or a duration of benefit lasting less than or equal to 2 months
No other medications for dystonia
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Cervical dystonia accompanied by dysphagia or dyspnea, either before or with botulinum toxin injection
Present or past cardiac disease, hypertension, arrhythmia or congestive heart failure
Anterocollis or other neck dystonia requiring bilateral anterior neck muscle injections
Use concomitant medications affecting calcium channels or those metabolized by the cytochrome p450 3A4 system including grapefruit juice, St. John's wort, HIV protease inhibitors, cimetidine, antibiotics (macrolides, fluoroquinones, antifungal, rifampin), antidepressants (fluvoxamine, norfluoxetine), barbiturates, anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, phenytoin), oral diabetes agents (pioglitazone, troglitazone), and glucocorticoids
Allergy to amlodipine or related compounds
Pregnany/ nursing
Age less than 18 years of age
Abnormal EKG
Abnormal coagulation profile or liver function tests
Use of anticoagulants

Maryland
      National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), 9000 Rockville Pike,  Bethesda,  Maryland,  20892,  United States; Recruiting

Study ID Numbers:  010147; 01-N-0147
Record last reviewed:  March 23, 2004
Last Updated:  April 6, 2005
Record first received:  April 18, 2001
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00015457
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08