Healthy living
Medicines and supplements
Drug holds promise for Parkinson's disease
A drug used to treat blood pressure and stroke could hold the key to beating Parkinson's disease according to US researchers
Around 120,000 people in the UK suffer from Parkinson's which develops when dopamine producing cells in the brain start to die. A lack of dopamine affects the control of movement. Common symptoms include muscle tremors, lack of coordination and speech impairment. Although treatments are available to reduce the symptoms, nothing can prevent the disease from progressing.
Researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago have found that the drug isradipine appears to slow or stop the death of the dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain. If the process of cell death can be reversed or halted, it is hoped that the symptoms can be reduced too.
This study, carried out on mice and reported in the online edition of the journal Nature, also gives an insight into why the cells die in the first place. It seems that calcium in the cells may play an important role because isradipine blocks calcium’s route into the cells in the brain.
Too much calcium within the cell makes them more fragile and more vulnerable to environmental toxins. Uncovering how these nerve cells die is crucial to gaining a better understanding of the condition and to developing new treatments.
Lead researcher Professor Surmeier said: “Our hope is that this drug will protect dopamine neurons, so that if you began taking it early enough you won’t get Parkinson’s disease, even if you were at risk. It would be like taking a baby aspirin every day to protect your heart.”
Dr Kieran Breen, Director of Research and Development at the Parkinson’s Disease Society agrees that the results are interesting but points out that it is still too early to say whether isradipine will ever be an appropriate treatment for Parkinson’s. "A significant amount of further research will be required before any definite conclusions can be drawn."
The team from Chicago is now planning to carry out further clinical trials.
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
