World War II weapon antidote could treat Parkinson’s

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Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 12 December 2018

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World War II

Researchers at Purdue University, US, are studying a World War II chemical weapon antidote that they believe could be used to treat Parkinson’s.

It is believed the antidote, called dimercaprol, may be able to remove acrolein – a toxin that poisons neurons and can lead to the development of Parkinson’s disease.

In addition to this, researchers believe dimercaprol can increase the survival rate of brain cells, improve mobility and reduce symptoms of pain.

Riyi Shi, professor of neuroscience and biomedical engineering at Purdue University, said: “Our studies show that by removing the toxin (acrolein) from the brain, we are not just reducing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease but also significantly reversing the damage of Parkinson’s disease. This could actually provide a new treatment for Parkinson’s patients.”

To read more on this topic click here.

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


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