Caffeine metabolism in Parkinson's disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of biomarkers in the diagnosis and progression of the motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease
IRAS ID
308906
Contact name
Peter Hobson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex and multifaceted condition currently considered the fasting growing neurological disorder throughout the world. Although current pharmacologic therapies provide symptomatic relief, they do not alter the progression of the disease. Discovering innovative ways to assist in the diagnosis of Parkinsonism, improving the efficacy existing treatments and the development of novel compounds are attainable with focused research. In people with Parkinson’s (PWP), changes occur in their brains where they develop sticky insoluble deposits within neurons called proteinopathies. These are toxic and may reduce the ability of a PWP to produce dopamine within their brains (parts of the brain that send and receive signals). Biological markers (biomarkers) are employed in everyday clinical practice and assessment to determine how well the body responds to treatments and to assist with the diagnosis of various health conditions. We are interested in investigating the role of the biomarkers of caffeine and its metabolites. Metabolites are substances that help the body break down food, drugs or chemicals in the body. Caffeine is believed to be neuroprotective for PD and other neurological conditions and in other investigations with PWP, it was found not to be absorbed in the same way as people without the condition. We propose to invite PWP who are not receiving antiparkinsonian drug treatment, PWP who are on treatment and match them to people without Parkinson’s (controls) or other neurological disorders to see how they metabolise caffeine. The PWP and controls in this investigation will have their blood and urine samples analysed in specialist laboratory equipment that can identify the metabolites of caffeine that we propose to investigate. Our aim is to establish if caffeine biomarkers are deficient in PWP at all stages of the condition and additionally if they are related to the motor and non-motor symptoms of PD.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0378
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jan 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion