Parkinson’s gene therapy could improve motor symptoms
UK researchers are trialling an innovative gene therapy that could improve motor symptoms – such as tremors and rigidity – experienced by people with Parkinson’s. The therapy, named AXO-Lenti-PD, has been developed by biopharmaceutical companies Oxford BioMedica and Axovant Sciences. The trial will work with 30 participants living with Parkinson’s at hospitals in London and Cambridge, UK and Paris, France. The first stage will evaluate the safety and dosage of the therapy – and the second stage will assess the long-term effects of the therapy on motor function. Professor Thomas Foltynie, neurology consultant at University College London Hospitals – which is carrying out the research alongside University College London – said: “Genes that increase the production of dopamine could help alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, potentially with fewer side effects than traditional drug treatments, by targeting only the areas of the brain that are lacking in dopamine.”
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