Groundbreaking Parkinson’s trial publishes results

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Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 7 March 2019

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A breakthrough Parkinson’s trial that featured in a two-part documentary on UK television channel BBC Two has published its results.

The study, which featured in the documentary ‘The Parkinson’s Drug Trial: A miracle cure?’, aimed to investigate whether it was possible to restore damaged neurons by administering protein Glial Cell Line Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF).

As part of the trial, scientists initially infused GDNF into the brains of six participants living with the condition. Researchers then invited a further 35 individuals with Parkinson’s to take part, with approximately half being administered with a placebo infusion.

Although not conclusive, the results suggest that GDNF had an impact on the brain and researchers believe the topic is worthy of further study.

Dr Alan Whone, principal investigator on the trial, said: “This represents some of the most compelling evidence yet that we may have a means to possibly reawaken and restore the dopamine brain cells that are gradually destroyed in Parkinson’s.

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

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The University of Dundee, UK, has announced a collaboration with South Korean pharmaceutical company Bukwang to develop a new treatment for Parkinson’s. Collaborating with researchers at the University of Oxford, UK, the university’s drug discovery unit (DDU) has found molecules that may reduce levels of a protein closely connected to the development of the condition. The new partnership will build on this existing relationship between the universities – and facilitate a further three-year Parkinson’s research programme which will move the molecules towards clinical development. Professor Paul Wyatt, head of the DDU, said: “Drug discovery for neurological disorders is especially challenging and an area where academia and industry need to be working together. “This project brings together the clinical and translational research expertise in Oxford with Dundee’s professional drug-discovery capabilities, allowing us to move one stage further towards a treatment.”

Parkinson’s may originate in the gut, says new study

A new study, published in medical journal ‘Neuron’, has found evidence to suggest that Parkinson’s may originate in the gut. As part of the study, researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, US, injected abnormally folded alpha-synuclein – a protein closely connected to the development of Parkinson’s – into the gut of over 100 mice. After one month the misfolded protein had spread to areas of the brain, with researchers saying the animals’ symptoms closely mirrored the condition in humans. The results follow on from a study in Sweden in 2017, when a team of researchers at the Karolinska Institutet found similar results. Ted Dawson, professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University and co-author of the research said: “It supports and really provides the first experimental evidence that Parkinson’s disease can start in the gut and go up the vagus nerve.”

Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

A study conducted by researchers in South Korea has found that acupuncture may help alleviate motor symptoms of Parkinson’s. The study – published in science journal ‘Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience’ – collected data from 42 existing trials testing the effects of acupuncture on different mouse models of Parkinson’s disease. A total of 40 studies showed that acupuncture increased levels of tyrosine hydroxylase – an enzyme in the brain which is part of the dopamine-producing process. Although there was no evidence to suggest acupuncture can induce changes in dopamine levels, results suggested that acupuncture may help alleviate motor symptoms in mice. Discussing their findings, the researchers commented: “Acupuncture treatment potentially protected [dopamine] neurons through various beneficial mechanisms. “Nevertheless, resolving the low quality of studies and further research investigating the efficacy of different acupuncture treatment methods in Parkinson’s disease rodent models will be needed.”

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Groundbreaking Parkinson’s trial publishes results

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 7 March 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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That moment the doc drops the P bomb

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James Parkinson: the man behind the shaking palsy

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11 landmark moments in the history of Parkinson’s disease

Scottish university reveals multimillion-pound Parkinson’s research partnership

Parkinson’s may originate in the gut, says new study

Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

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Groundbreaking Parkinson’s trial publishes results

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 7 March 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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Perspectives

That moment the doc drops the P bomb

Perspectives

James Parkinson: the man behind the shaking palsy

Global update

11 landmark moments in the history of Parkinson’s disease

Scottish university reveals multimillion-pound Parkinson’s research partnership

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Acupuncture may alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms

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