These ‘articles in a nutshell’ provide a balanced, straightforward and realistic overview of new science in Parkinson’s, and what it really means in the context of moving towards a cure.
Isradipine Results
The results of the STEADY-PD III trial have now been published. There was no evidence that
Another angle on the possible neuroprotective effects of statins
A study investigating the potential neuroprotective effects of statins in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) has found they may be associated with less severe movement problems and a delay in disease onset.
Intranasal insulin: promising preclinical findings for Parkinson’s
A pre-clinical study has shown that low dose insulin administered through the nose can improve movement and help protect dopaminergic neurons from damage.
Where gender matters: understanding the results of the SURE-PD trial
The SURE-PD trial has indicated inosine was effective at increasing urate levels and slowing disease progression in women, but not men.
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Cysteamine: another potential candidate on the horizon?
Evidence from preclinical studies supports case for a clinical trial of cysteamine in PwP
Unproven stem cell trials peddle hope
Patient narratives shown to be used as marketing tool
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Freezing
New surgery may offer relief for gait
The GDNF trial (as seen on BBC2)
Understanding the GDNF trial – BBC2 – 28th Feb & 7th March 2019
CRISPR gene editing method
Researchers are using gene editing to remove alpha-synuclein.
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Immunotherapies for Parkinson’s: BIIB054
BIIB054 seen to reduce spread of misfolded a-synuclein
International Linked Clinical Trials
Drugs with the potential of stopping, slowing or reversing Parkinson’s
Vitamin B12 and progression
Trial indicates potential B12 and stability link
Exenatide and non-motor symptoms
Evidence of exenatide benefitting non-motor symptoms.
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Deferiprone in Parkinson’s
Potential benefit of targeting iron build up in the brain
Nilotinib in Parkinson’s
Small pilot study repurposing cancer drug Nilotinib.
PBT434 to target iron in Parkinson’s
PBT434 prevents iron mediated neurodegeneration
Diabetes drug slows progression in lab
Funding now sought for human MSDC-0160 trials.
Compulsive behaviours and dopamine treatment
Evidence of agonists causing compulsive behaviours.
Understanding the Nilotinib trials
The results of a Phase II trial on the safety of nilotinib in people with Parkinson’s has shown ambiguous biochemical results and a greater number of adverse events in the treated groups.
Effectiveness of home-based and remotely supervised aerobic exercise in Parkinson’s disease
Regular home-based aerobic exercise appears to reduce the progression of Parkinson’s.
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Focused ultrasound – a new way of enhancing drug delivery?
Focus ultrasound (FUS) is a promising new area to improve delivery of drugs and neurotrophic factors
Gene therapy with GDNF: the results of the US trial
Gene therapy with GDNF: results of US trial.
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Study investigates NAC – but what about the placebo effect?
Study without blinding or a placebo arm has shown benefits from NAC.
Low-down on Bristol GDNF trial
Two Parkinson’s experts comment on the GDNF trial results.
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Neuromelanin: a new angle
May be key player in loss of striatal dopaminergic neurons
Nasal delivery of exenatide
Targeting cells in the olfactory bulb using antidiabetic drug.
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Exercise and Parkinson’s symptoms
Physical exercise is important alongside medication in Parkinson’s
Who might exenatide benefit?
Analysing which factors may predict a positive response
Neuroprotective effects of isradipine
Isradipine reduced calcium spikes and oxidative stress
Inflammatory bowel disease therapy
Linking inflammation in the bowel and Parkinson’s risk
Stem cell first clinical trial
The world’s first clinical trial using iPS cells in Parkinson’s disease.
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Simvastatin and Parkinson’s
Clinical trial of cholesterol-lowering drug Simvastatin
Potential disease modifying treatments
Drugs to treat cancer and depression may help halt PD.
Perception of cost influences placebo
The more a placebo costs the greater the effect.
Encouraging results from the open label trial of Ambroxol
Ambroxol was found to be safe and well tolerated in an open label trial in 18 people with Parkinson’s. It enters the brain and appears to increase levels of its chemical target GCase.
Targeting alpha synuclein to improve constipation
A phase II open label trial of a novel drug targeting
Capitalising on the neuroprotective effects of a prostate drug
A prostrate drug (Terazosin) has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects in animal models.
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Promising results with anle138b, a new drug that prevents protein clumping
anle138b shown to prevent clumping of alpha synuclein
Hypertension drug enhances autophagy
Felodipine drug seen to improve neuronal survival
Genetic engineering for neuroprotection?
More continuous GLP1 targeting for neuroprotection
UDCA for disease modification
Testing approved liver drug for Parkinson’s disease modification.
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Reprogrammed stem cell trial
First reprogrammed stem cell trial has begun in Japan
Targeting cancer enzyme in Parkinson’s
PARP ensyme as an important target for disease modification
NLY01 and a-synuclein reduction
Neuroprotective evidence in antidiabetic drug NLY01
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Trophic Factors in Parkinson’s
Regeneration of the axon no longer dismissed as impossible.
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Lipid interactions to target a-synuclein
GSL reduction as a potential target for disease modification
Statins and Parkinson’s
Cholesterol-lowering statins and Parkinson’s risk
Salbutamol and Parkinson’s
Common asthma drug may reduce Parkinson’s risk
Exenatide in Parkinson’s
Diabetes drug shows potential to slow PD progression.
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Cannabis and Parkinson’s disease
Time to turn over a new leaf – or is it just all puff?
