AzTrials
AzTrials

Parkinson DiseasePhase 2NCT03667404

Resistant Maltodextrin for Gut Microbiome in Parkinson's Disease: Safety and Tolerability Study

A Phase 2 study testing Resistant maltodextrin and maltodextrin in people with Parkinson Disease and Intestinal Bacteria Flora Disturbance, run by Northwestern University at 1 site in United States.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

This study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of a dietary fiber, resistant maltodextrin, in people with Parkinson's disease. It will also evaluate the fiber's effect on the gut microbiome and potential effects on motor function and non-motor functions. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 60 years and older
What is being tested?
Resistant maltodextrin and maltodextrin
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
30 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
6 Nov 2018to 31 Oct 2026
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 60 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Men and women age ≥60 years
  • Diagnosis of PD based on United Kingdom PD brain bank criteria, Hoehn and Yahr stage 1-3.
  • Stable dose of PD medications for 30 days prior to study and for duration of study
  • If used, stable dose of melatonin, sedative/hypnotic or stimulant medications

Who cannot join

  • use of other prebiotic or probiotic treatment for 30 days prior to or during the study
  • unstable medical or psychiatric disorder
  • history of diabetes mellitus or current use of medication for diabetes
  • cognitive impairment based on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) <25.
  • current or recent (within previous 3 weeks) use of laxatives
  • use of antibiotics in the past 30 days
  • participation in another clinical trial in the past 30 days.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Northwestern University

    Chicago, Illinois, 60611

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Gut Microbial Remodeling With Resistant Maltodextrin for Motor and Non-motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease: Safety and Tolerability Study

This study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of a dietary fiber, resistant maltodextrin, in people with Parkinson's disease. It will also evaluate the fiber's effect on the gut microbiome and potential effects on motor function and non-motor functions. Half of the participants will receive resistant maltodextrin and the other half will receive a control substance, maltodextrin.

Read the detailed description

Intestinal microbiota may play in important role in Parkinson's disease (PD). Colonic bacteria play roles in multiple functions including gut motility and secretion of metabolites which can have systemic effects on the body. Recent evidence has shown that people with PD have an altered distribution of gut bacteria that healthy controls. These changes are associated with differences in various metabolites, including butyrate, that are involved in maintaining the gut barrier integrity and even gait and balance function. Microbiota dysbiosis could potentially exacerbate or even contribute to the pathogenesis of PD. Probiotic and dietary interventions may improve gut function and the motor symptoms in PD, but neither have been examined for their effect on the gut microbiome. Prebiotic treatments have been shown to order the microbiome in some populations, but have not been assessed for tolerability or efficacy in PD.

The objective of this study is to examine the safety and tolerability of resistant maltodextrin (RM), a prebiotic non-digestible fiber, and its effect on the microbiome and motor in non-motor symptoms and PD. The investigators will conduct a randomized, parallel-group double-blinded controlled trial assessing RM 50 g daily compared to maltodextrin (an easily digestible glucose polysaccharide) over 4 weeks. Patients will be dosed with 25 g daily for 1 week and then titrated to 50 g daily for the remaining 3 weeks.

The goals of this study include: 1) To determine the safety and tolerability of RM compared to maltodextrin in patients with PD; 2) To determine if RM will remodel the gut microbiome in patients with PD; 3) (exploratory) To determine if RM administration will improve motor and non-motor symptoms in PD.

Being tested
Resistant maltodextrin, maltodextrin
Keywords
Resistant maltodextrin, dietary fiber, gut microbiome, Parkinson's disease
Medical subject headings
Parkinson Disease

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Resistant maltodextrinDietary supplement

    Resistant maltodextrin powder

  • maltodextrinDietary supplement

    maltodextrin powder

Study groups in NCT03667404
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Resistant MaltodextrinExperimentalResistant maltodextrin (RM) powder 25 g during days 1-7 and 50g during days 8-28, each dose dissolved in 8 oz of water once daily in the morning.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Resistant maltodextrin
MaltodextrinPlacebo comparatorMaltodextrin 25g for days 1-7 and 50 g for days 8-28, each dose dissolved in 8 oz of water once daily in the morning.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: maltodextrin

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Adverse events

    Adverse event frequency and severity based on diary reports, phone calls, and in-person assessments.

    Measured: 4 weeks

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Gut microbial remodeling

    Change in fecal butyrate-producing bacteria based on high-throughput amplicon sequencing of the V4 variable region of the microbial 16s ribosomal ribonucleic acid (RNA) gene.

    Measured: 4 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted12 Sep 2018
  2. Study start6 Nov 2018
  3. Primary completion30 Jun 2022
  4. Study completion31 Oct 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Double blind placebo (maltodextrin) controlled randomized trial
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
30 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03667404
Sponsor's protocol ID
STU00207142
Status last verified
Apr 2026
First submitted
10 Sep 2018
Last updated
15 Apr 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Baer DJ, Stote KS, Henderson T, Paul DR, Okuma K, Tagami H, Kanahori S, Gordon DT, Rumpler WV, Ukhanova M, Culpepper T, Wang X, Mai V. The metabolizable energy of dietary resistant maltodextrin is variable and alters fecal microbiota composition in adult men. J Nutr. 2014 Jul;144(7):1023-9. doi: 10.3945/jn.113.185298. Epub 2014 Apr 17.

    PubMed 24744316
  • Braak H, Rub U, Gai WP, Del Tredici K. Idiopathic Parkinson's disease: possible routes by which vulnerable neuronal types may be subject to neuroinvasion by an unknown pathogen. J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2003 May;110(5):517-36. doi: 10.1007/s00702-002-0808-2.

    PubMed 12721813
  • Cassani E, Privitera G, Pezzoli G, Pusani C, Madio C, Iorio L, Barichella M. Use of probiotics for the treatment of constipation in Parkinson's disease patients. Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol. 2011 Jun;57(2):117-21.

    PubMed 21587143
  • Fastinger ND, Karr-Lilienthal LK, Spears JK, Swanson KS, Zinn KE, Nava GM, Ohkuma K, Kanahori S, Gordon DT, Fahey GC Jr. A novel resistant maltodextrin alters gastrointestinal tolerance factors, fecal characteristics, and fecal microbiota in healthy adult humans. J Am Coll Nutr. 2008 Apr;27(2):356-66. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2008.10719712.

    PubMed 18689571
  • Forsyth CB, Shannon KM, Kordower JH, Voigt RM, Shaikh M, Jaglin JA, Estes JD, Dodiya HB, Keshavarzian A. Increased intestinal permeability correlates with sigmoid mucosa alpha-synuclein staining and endotoxin exposure markers in early Parkinson's disease. PLoS One. 2011;6(12):e28032. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028032. Epub 2011 Dec 1.

    PubMed 22145021
  • Hawkes CH, Del Tredici K, Braak H. Parkinson's disease: a dual-hit hypothesis. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol. 2007 Dec;33(6):599-614. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2990.2007.00874.x. Epub 2007 Oct 24.

    PubMed 17961138
  • He B, Nohara K, Ajami NJ, Michalek RD, Tian X, Wong M, Losee-Olson SH, Petrosino JF, Yoo SH, Shimomura K, Chen Z. Transmissible microbial and metabolomic remodeling by soluble dietary fiber improves metabolic homeostasis. Sci Rep. 2015 Jun 4;5:10604. doi: 10.1038/srep10604.

    PubMed 26040234
  • Holmqvist S, Chutna O, Bousset L, Aldrin-Kirk P, Li W, Bjorklund T, Wang ZY, Roybon L, Melki R, Li JY. Direct evidence of Parkinson pathology spread from the gastrointestinal tract to the brain in rats. Acta Neuropathol. 2014 Dec;128(6):805-20. doi: 10.1007/s00401-014-1343-6. Epub 2014 Oct 9.

    PubMed 25296989
  • Keshavarzian A, Green SJ, Engen PA, Voigt RM, Naqib A, Forsyth CB, Mutlu E, Shannon KM. Colonic bacterial composition in Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord. 2015 Sep;30(10):1351-60. doi: 10.1002/mds.26307. Epub 2015 Jul 16.

    PubMed 26179554
  • Kishimoto Y, Kanahori S, Sakano K, Ebihara S. The maximum single dose of resistant maltodextrin that does not cause diarrhea in humans. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2013;59(4):352-7. doi: 10.3177/jnsv.59.352.

    PubMed 24064737
  • Lee A, Gilbert RM. Epidemiology of Parkinson Disease. Neurol Clin. 2016 Nov;34(4):955-965. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2016.06.012. Epub 2016 Aug 18.

    PubMed 27720003
  • Li S, Wang Y, Wang F, Hu LF, Liu CF. A New Perspective for Parkinson's Disease: Circadian Rhythm. Neurosci Bull. 2017 Feb;33(1):62-72. doi: 10.1007/s12264-016-0089-7. Epub 2016 Dec 19.

    PubMed 27995565
  • Martinez-Martin P. The importance of non-motor disturbances to quality of life in Parkinson's disease. J Neurol Sci. 2011 Nov 15;310(1-2):12-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2011.05.006. Epub 2011 May 31.

    PubMed 21621226
  • Miyazato S, Kishimoto Y, Takahashi K, Kaminogawa S, Hosono A. Continuous intake of resistant maltodextrin enhanced intestinal immune response through changes in the intestinal environment in mice. Biosci Microbiota Food Health. 2016;35(1):1-7. doi: 10.12938/bmfh.2015-009. Epub 2015 Aug 25.

    PubMed 26858925
  • Nagahara AH, Tuszynski MH. Potential therapeutic uses of BDNF in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2011 Mar;10(3):209-19. doi: 10.1038/nrd3366.

    PubMed 21358740

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Resistant maltodextrin and maltodextrin in people with Parkinson Disease and Intestinal Bacteria Flora Disturbance, run by Northwestern University at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Adverse events (time frame: 4 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03667404, which also lists 27 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Apr 2026.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in