Could a prostate drug lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease?

News

Author: Johanna Stiefler JohnsonPublished: 11 February 2021

Parkinson's LifePrep: Parkinson's LifeCook: Parkinson's LifeServes:

A man wearing glasses examines a pill bottle

Researchers in the US, Denmark and China have found that a type of medication used to treat enlarged prostate, known as alpha-blockers, is associated with a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.

As part of the study,  the research team analysed patient data from 150,000 men using medications like the alpha-blocker terazosin­ – ­which has previously been shown to slow Parkinson’s disease progression in animals – and compared their findings to data from 150,000 men using the alpha-blocker tamsulosin. They found that men taking terazosin were 12 to 37% less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.

Jacob Simmering, corresponding author of the study, said: “Despite the relative differences in population and health care system structure, we found a similar protective effect in both [the US and Denmark].

“If these results are confirmed through further investigation, especially a randomised clinical trial, terazosin may provide neuroprotection and potentially prevent – and not just manage – Parkinson’s disease.”


Read more:

People with Parkinson’s disease have a “high interest” in herbal drugs, study finds

What Parkinson’s symptoms do people most want to see improve?

Go Back

Share this story

Comments


Related articles


A display of antioxidant-rich foods

News

Antioxidants could reduce risk of Parkinson’s disease by 32%, study finds

Antioxidant vitamins, found in foods like almonds, avocados and broccoli, c

READ MORE
environmental factors and Parkinson's

Special reports

Ask the expert: Can environmental factors cause Parkinson’s?

Dr Ray Dorsey on the impact of pesticides

READ MORE
Blonde woman standing by the window, with coffee cup in hands, looking out into the morning light

News

Loneliness may increase severity of Parkinson’s disease symptoms

Researchers in the US have found that people with Parkinson’s disease who

READ MORE