A Double‐Blind, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trial of Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) in Parkinson's Disease

Abstract Background Rescue of mitochondrial function is a promising neuroprotective strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD). Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has shown considerable promise as a mitochondrial rescue agent across a range of preclinical in vitro and in vivo models of PD. Objectives To investigate the safety and tolerability of high‐dose UDCA in PD and determine midbrain target engagement. Methods The UP (UDCA in PD) study was a phase II, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of UDCA (30 mg/kg daily, 2:1 randomization UDCA vs. placebo) in 30 participants with PD for 48 weeks. The primary outcome was safety and tolerability. Secondary outcomes included 31‐phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 31 P‐MRS) to explore target engagement of UDCA in PD midbrain and assessment of motor progression, applying both the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (MDS‐UPDRS‐III) and objective, motion sensor‐based quantification of gait impairment. Results UDCA was safe and well tolerated, and only mild transient gastrointestinal adverse events were more frequent in the UDCA treatment group. Midbrain 31 P‐MRS demonstrated an increase in both Gibbs free energy and inorganic phosphate levels in the UDCA treatment group compared to placebo, reflecting improved ATP hydrolysis. Sensor‐based gait analysis indicated a possible improvement of cadence (steps per minute) and other gait parameters in the UDCA group compared to placebo. In contrast, subjective assessment applying the MDS‐UPDRS‐III failed to detect a difference between treatment groups. Conclusions High‐dose UDCA is safe and well tolerated in early PD. Larger trials are needed to further evaluate the disease‐modifying effect of UDCA in PD. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.