Could a single daily pill deliver Parkinson’s medication?

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Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 1 October 2020

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NTU Assoc Prof Joachim Loo and LiberaTx COO Shashi Kesavapany holding their new drug microcapules in their hands

Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, have developed a new pill that could be used to slowly deliver medication over a 24-hour period to people living with Parkinson’s disease.

They hope that delivering Parkinson’s medication in this way could help manage symptoms which can occur when people experience ‘off’ periods between taking medications. A team at the university’s startup LiberaTx is now commercialising the technology and planning clinical trials to test the efficacy of the pill.

Joachim Loo (pictured left), associate professor at the university and founder of LiberaTx, said: “We hope that […] reducing dosage to just once-a-day would greatly improve patient compliance, lower the pill burden of these patients, while alleviating the ‘off’ periods that these patients experience. Achieving this would greatly improve quality of life for the patient.”

If the pill is proven successful for treating Parkinson’s disease, it may also be used for treating other conditions that require taking multiple drugs daily.

Lead image credit: NTU Singapore

Read more about the new pill for delivering Parkinson’s medication here.

For more information on the latest Parkinson’s research please visit the EPDA website.

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Parkinson’s disease symptoms and medications can cause dental health problems – including difficulty cleaning teeth and increased tooth decay. Now, a study from researchers in Brazil has offered dental care recommendations to help people living with the condition. Analysing data from 14 studies, the scientists highlighted people with Parkinson’s can have “reduced quality of oral health and hygiene”. Their advice included routine teeth-brushing, as well as regular trips to a dentist. They also suggested brushing teeth with both hands, as symptoms like tremor and rigidity could mean using one hand is more difficult. The researchers wrote: “Although oral diseases are largely preventable, they are among the most prevalent diseases globally, thus creating a public health problem. “Despite the relatively low level of evidence in studies on oral health among patients with Parkinson’s disease, the data retrieved for this systematic review allowed us to create a set of simple guidelines.”

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Could a single daily pill deliver Parkinson’s medication?

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 1 October 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Global update

6 of the world’s biggest Parkinson’s fundraising walks

Perspectives

Leading campaigners pay tribute to pioneering Parkinson’s nurse

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Take part in The Parkinson Tulip Project

Looking after dental health with Parkinson’s disease

Why Parkinson’s disease research can’t ignore sex differences

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Could a single daily pill deliver Parkinson’s medication?

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Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 1 October 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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