Jazz Pharmaceuticals recently announced a Phase II trial to test a therapy for excessive daytime sleepiness in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s that may affect up to half of all individuals with PD. Sleepiness might be part of the underlying disease, a side effect of Parkinson’s medications (especially dopamine agonists, such as ropinirole or pramipexole) or a consequence of sleep disturbances, another potential non-motor symptom of PD. It can significantly impact the quality of life and there are no approved treatments.

The Phase II trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a drug called JZP-110. This medication targets the dopamine and norepinephrine brain chemical systems, which play an important role in wakefulness. The trial is expected to enrol 50 participants at approximately 15 centres across the United States.

Learn More about Sleep Disorders in Parkinson’s