Atomoxetine for Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease according to UK Brain Bank Criteria, Hoehn
and Yahr stage 2-4

2. A positive response to item 14 of the UPDRS, part 2.

3. Age range 18-80

4. Ability to walk a minimum of 20 feet without assistive device and with one observed
freezing episode which may be triggered by visual cue

5. Letter of medical clearance by primary care physician dated within preceding 2 months
of subject's initial active study visit.

6. Stable on PD medications for ≥ 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Intolerance to drug class

2. Mini-Mental Status Examination <26/30

3. No observable episodes of freezing of gait despite common visual cues

4. Not on stable PD medications for 3 months

5. Subjects who whose gait disturbance is due to other conditions not related to PD or
FOG.

6. Current use of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAO-I)

7. Hypersensitivity to drug class

8. Narrow angle glaucoma

9. Pheochromocytoma

10. Severe cardiovascular disorders, i.e. patients with pre-existing conditions that would
be expected to deteriorate if their heart rate or blood pressure were to increase in a
clinically significant manner (e.g. 15-20 mmHg increase in blood pressure or 20 beats
per minute in heart rate).

11. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

12. Patients with a history of symptomatic tachyarrhythmias.

13. Presence of uncontrolled depression and suicidal ideation.