Could a common diabetes drug ease Parkinson's symptoms?
NCT ID NCT05781711
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial tested whether metformin, a widely used diabetes medication, could improve symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease. Sixty participants who were already taking levodopa received either metformin or a placebo. Researchers measured changes in movement and daily function using a standard rating scale, and also looked at blood markers like brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- metformin
- What this could lead to
- If it works, metformin could become an add-on treatment to help control Parkinson's symptoms better.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 60 participants. Metformin is not a cure and may not show significant benefit over standard care.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
60 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jan 2023
- Finished
-
Jan 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 75 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥ 18 years Both males and females will be included Negative pregnancy test and effective contraception. Diagnosed Parkinson's disease patient taking Levodopa Exclusion Criteria: Secondary causes of Parkinsonism Diabetic patients Patients taking anti-inflammatory drugs Atypical parkinsonian syndromes Prior stereotaxic surgery for Parkinson's disease Pregnancy and lactation Suffering from active malignancy Addiction to alcohol and/or drugs Known allergy to the studied medications
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University
Tanta, Shebeen El-Kom, 32511, Egypt
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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