Can a Parkinson's psychosis drug tame impulse control disorders?

NCT ID NCT03947216

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tested whether pimavanserin, a drug already approved for hallucinations in Parkinson's, can reduce impulse control disorders like compulsive gambling, shopping, or eating. 117 people with Parkinson's and moderate-to-severe impulse control problems took either pimavanserin or a placebo daily for 8 weeks. The goal was to see if the drug could lessen these behaviors safely.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
pimavanserin (brand name Nuplazid)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a new treatment option for impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease, potentially reducing problematic behaviors without worsening motor symptoms.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase (phase 2) study. The results may not confirm effectiveness, and the drug may not work for everyone. Side effects are possible, though pimavanserin has a generally good safety profile.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Behavior Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders Parkinson disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Centre d'Inverstigation Clinique, CHU de Poitiers

    Poitiers, 86021, France

  • SERVICE DE NEUROLOGIE C, Unité mouvement anormaux/Centre expert Parkinson, CHU de Lyon, Hopital neurologique Pierre Wertheimer

    Bron, 69677, France

  • SERVICE DE NEUROLOGIE Centre Expert Parkinson Hopital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière

    Paris, 75651, France

  • SERVICE DE NEUROLOGIE Unité de Mouvements Anormaux/Centre expert Parkinson, CHU de Strasbourg, Hopital de Hautepierre

    Strasbourg, 67098, France

  • SERVICE DE NEUROLOGIE, CHU de REIMS

    Reims, 51100, France

  • SERVICE DE NEUROLOGIE, Unité Mouvement Anormaux/Centre expert Parkinson, CHU de Lille, Hopital Roger Salengro

    Lille, 59037, France

  • SERVICE DE NEUROLOGIE, Unité Mouvement Anormaux/Centre expert Parkinson, Hopital de la Timone

    Marseille, 13385, France

  • SERVICE DE NEUROLOGIE, Unité Mouvements Anormaux/Centre expert Parkinson CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Hopital Gabriel Montpied

    Clermont-Ferrand, 63003, France

  • SERVICE DE NEUROLOGIE, Unité Mouvements Anormaux/Centre expert Parkinson, CHU de Grenoble Alpes

    Grenoble, 38043, France

  • SERVICE DE NEUROLOGIE, Unité Mouvements Anormaux/Centre expert Parkinson, CHU de Limoges

    Limoges, 87042, France

  • SERVICE DE NEUROLOGIE, Unité Mouvements Anormaux/Centre expert Parkinson, CHU de Rennes, Hopital Pontchaillou

    Rennes, 35033, France

  • SERVICE DE NEUROLOGIE, Unité Mouvements Anormaux/Centre expert Parkinson, CHU de Rouen, Hopital Charles Nicolle

    Rouen, 76031, France

  • SERVICE DE NEUROLOGIE, Unité Mouvements Anormaux/Centre expert Parkinson, CIC, CHU de Nantes, Hopital Laennec

    Nantes, 44093, France

  • SERVICE DE NEUROLOGIE, Unité Mouvements Anormaux/Centre expert Parkinson, CIC, CHU de Toulouse, Hopital Pierre-Paul Riquet

    Toulouse, 31059, France

  • SERVICE DE NEUROLOGIE, Unité Mouvements Anormaux/Centre expert Parkinson, Hopital Henri Mondor

    Créteil, 94010, France

  • Service de Neurologie and CIC -CHU Besançon

    Besançon, France

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