New drug aims to boost brain energy in Parkinson's patients
NCT ID NCT07322887
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 18, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether a new drug called SUL-238 can improve energy production in brain cells of people with early, untreated Parkinson's disease. Forty-five participants will take either a low or high dose of SUL-238 or a placebo daily for 28 days. Researchers will use a special MRI scan to measure brain energy levels and check for side effects.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- SUL-238
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a new way to improve brain cell energy in early Parkinson's, potentially slowing disease progression.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 45 people over 28 days. It measures brain chemistry changes, not symptoms or long-term outcomes, so success is uncertain.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 45 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2026
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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40 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: 1. Untreated Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients diagnosed in accordance with the UK PDS Brain Bank Criteria for the diagnosis of PD. Patients must have bradykinesia and at least one of the following: 1. muscular rigidity 2. rest tremor (4-6 Hz) 3. postural instability unrelated to primary visual, cerebellar, vestibular or proprioceptive dysfunction. 2. The duration of PD since diagnosis is ≤ 1 year. 3. Patients with Modified Hoehn and Yahr stage ≤ 2.0. 4. Patients with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) score of ≥22. 5. Men and women aged ≥40 years at screening. 6. Able to understand the nature of the study and provide signed and dated written informed consent in accordance with local regulations before the conduct of any study related procedures. 7. Able to complete all study related testing and evaluations. 8. Patients must be, in the opinion of the Investigator, able to participate in all scheduled evaluations, likely to complete all required tests, and likely to be compliant. 9. Men and women of child-bearing potential with partners of child-bearing potential must agree to use highly effective contraception. For male patients, contraception should continue for 3 months after the last dose of investigational medicinal product (IMP, one spermatic cycle). For female patients, contraception should continue for 6 months after the last dose of IMP (one oocyte cycle). 10. Women of non-childbearing potential must be post-menopausal (the last menstrual period was at least 12 months ago, and follicle-stimulating hormone \[FSH\] at screening confirms post-menopausal status), or have no uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes (or have their fallopian tubes tied). All women must have a negative pregnancy test result before administration of test article. Women who are surgically sterile must provide documentation of the procedure by an operative report or by ultrasound. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Atypical parkinsonism, including that due to drugs, metabolic disorders, encephalitis, cerebrovascular disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, or other neurodegenerative disease. 2. Any history of intellectual disability or psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria, except a history of mild depression/anxiety that has been resolved for at least the past 3 months. 3. A positive answer to questions 3 through 5 on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) at screening. 4. A positive Hepatitis B surface antigen, Hepatitis C antibody, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) antibody test at screening. 5. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) at screening or between screening and first dose administration. 6. Received or used an investigational product (including placebo) or device within the following time period prior to day -1 in the current study: 90 days, 5 half-lives, or twice the duration of the biological effect of the investigational product (whichever is longer). 7. Use of non-prescription drugs, vitamins, herbal, and dietary supplements which has potential to influence the mitochondrial function (such as coenzyme Q10, carnitine, creatine, lipoic acid and vitamin E) within 30 days prior to day -1. 8. Use of drugs which are strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 or CYP3A4 substrates with narrow therapeutic index within 30 days prior to day -1. 9. History of clinically significant sensitivity to any of the study medications, or components thereof or a history of drug or other allergies that, in the opinion of the Investigator or Medical Monitor, contraindicates their participation. 10. Women with a positive pregnancy test, are lactating, or are planning to become pregnant during the study or within 6 months of the end of this study. 11. A history or presence of any disease, condition, or surgery likely to affect drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion. Patients with a history of cholecystectomy should be excluded. 12. A history or presence of a clinically significant hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, endocrine, pulmonary, ophthalmologic, immunologic, hematologic, dermatologic, or neurologic (other than PD) abnormality. 13. At screening, any clinically significant abnormalities in rhythm, conduction, or morphology of the resting 12-lead ECG. 14. A clinically significant vital signs abnormality at screening or day -1, as determined by the investigator in accordance with the Dutch General Practitioner Guidelines (NHG Standards), corresponding to higher than 160 mm Hg systolic and 110 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure. Participants with a systolic blood pressure \<90 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure \<50 mmHg will also be excluded. 15. In the opinion of the Investigator or Medical Monitor, the patient is unlikely to comply with the protocol or is unsuitable for any reason, e.g., known issues with ability to swallow tablets. 16. Women of child-bearing potential (WOCBP), or men, who are unwilling or unable to use accepted methods of birth control for up to 6 months following study participation. 17. Contraindications for undergoing an MRI.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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CTC Netherlands BV
RECRUITINGGroningen, 9713 GZ, Netherlands
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