Effect of GOCOVRI (Amantadine, Extended Release Capsules) on Gait in Parkinson's Disease

Levodopa induced dyskinesia (LID) is a symptom of Parkinson's disease for which there are limited treatment options. LID leads to reduced quality of life, increased caregiver burden and an increased risk of falls (Rascol et al., 2015, Chapuis et al., 2005). GOCOVRI™ is an extended release capsule prescription medication shown to reduce LID in people with PD (Pahwa et al., 2017, Pahwa et al., 2018). However, a number of studies have identified an increase in falls in those on the active medication study arm but not the placebo arm (13% increase in active and 7% in placebo) (Pahwa et al., 2017). In order to understand this increase in falls, comprehensive measurements of quantity of activity (gait measured in the home environment) and quality of activity (comprehensive gait characteristics that may increase risk of falls) need to be assessed in participants taking GOCOVRI™. In addition, the evidence for the effect of GOCOVRI™ on gait and balance in PD is limited (Smulders et al., 2016). This study is an open label study in which the following Aims will be studied: Aim I: Investigate the effect of GOCOVRI™ on activity levels in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and Levodopa induced dyskinesia (LID) Hypothesis I: We hypothesize that GOCOVRI™ will result in an increase of daily activity due to improvement in LID symptoms. Primary outcome measures: Total amount of activity per day Aim II: Investigate the effect of GOCOVRI™ on comprehensive measures of gait and balance quality in people with PD with LID Hypothesis II: We hypothesize GOCOVRI™ may improve discrete characteristics of gait and balance that is evident even within the first hour of the day walking.