Atomoxetine for Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease according to UK Brain Bank Criteria, Hoehnand 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 observedfreezing episode which may be triggered by visual cue

5. Letter of medical clearance by primary care physician dated within preceding 2 monthsof 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 orFOG.

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 wouldbe expected to deteriorate if their heart rate or blood pressure were to increase in aclinically significant manner (e.g. 15-20 mmHg increase in blood pressure or 20 beatsper 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.