More than 100,000 people in Australia live with Parkinson’s—a central nervous system disorder affecting one’s movement and mood. It is a progressive disorder which currently has no cure and few treatments. However, researchers at Parkinson’s UK have a new reason to hope. They are investigating whether early detection and treatment of certain sleeping disorders might prevent Parkinson’s, which would be a massive breakthrough.
The symptoms associated with Parkinson’s appear once the substantia nigra, a part of the brain, gets damaged. This part, found in the spinal cord, comprises brain cells that produce the chemical messenger dopamine. Parkinson’s disease causes the loss of these cells, which reduces the amount of dopamine in the brain. This makes it difficult for the person to move. Unfortunately, the damage is already done when these symptoms become noticeable with more than 50% of the cells already lost.
That’s given rise to a critical area of research: early detection. How do we know if someone will go on to develop Parkinson’s? There is no definitive way at present, but researchers have found that one sleep disorder might provide a way forward. They found that over 70% of the people who experienced Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD) go on to develop Parkinson’s or other neurodegenerative disease in the future. RBD is a sleep disorder that compels you to act out your dreams by kicking, punching, gesturing and thrashing.
People with RBD typically have inflammation in the brain, which can result in damage to brain cells known as microglia. Think of microglia as the bodyguards of your brain. When these cells notice that parasites or injuries have invaded, they rush to the site of the inflammation and put up a fight. They call for backup if things get out of hand. Once they’re done, like reputable fighters, they clean up the war zone, release some healing chemicals and retreat. However, sometimes, they don’t stop fighting even when the enemy has been defeated. They get stuck in the fight club and forgo all its rules. That’s their villain origin story.
More common as we age, this chronic inflammation has the potential to cause Parkinson’s. The Associate Director of Research at Parkinson’s UK, Professor David Dexter, says, “Studies looking at post-mortem brain tissue show that there are many more microglia present in the brain areas affected by Parkinson’s, these microglia are in an activated (attack) state and we can also see that they are releasing inflammatory chemicals.”
Naturally then, the first step to early detection and prevention would be reducing inflammation, and it is this that researchers are working on in collaboration with Pharmaxis (ASX: PXS). The Aussie biotech company has developed an anti inflammatory drug called PXS-4728. It combines an MAO-B inhibitor (which boosts dopamine in the brain) with an anti-inflammatory agent, allowing the drug to have a two-fold effect: it will improve Parkinson’s symptoms and if taken early enough may slow or prevent the progression of the disease.
The drug is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials and Parkinson’s UK, through its Virtual Biotech arm, has contributed in $5 million funding. The drug will be given to people with RBD who are at high risk of developing Parkinson’s. The trials, overseen by leading researchers at Oxford and Sydney Universities will take place across two research sites: in Australia and the UK, and are due to commence in 2023. It will aim to recruit 40 participants who will be randomly split into two groups: 30 will receive PXS-4728, and 10 will receive a placebo for 12 weeks.
Parkinson’s is unanticipated. It is like that one guest who shows up at your door unannounced, taking up space and eating your food. Though there is little you can do once they are there, perhaps knowing about their arrival in advance could help you prepare… or maybe even avoid them altogether.
Parkinson’s is a devastating diagnosis but the clinical work being done by this high level collaboration is being closely watched as a potential new frontier.
Parkinson’s might be incurable, but if all goes as planned, it might become preventable thanks to the trials being initiated by Parkinson’s UK and Pharmaxis.
Pharmaxis welcomes investors to register for updates on their latest developments and industry research by joining their mailing list here.
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6 Comments
caetherineroberta
My husband was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease at 67. His symptoms were shuffling of feet, slurred speech, low volume speech, degradation of handwriting, horrible driving skills, and his right arm is held at 45 degree angle. He was placed on Sinemet for 7 months and then Sifrol and rotigotine were introduced which replaced the Sinemet but he had to stop due to side effects, things were tough for us. We tried every shot available but nothing was working. There has been little if any progress in finding a reliable treatment, I quit my meds due to side effects. Our care provider introduced us to Parkinson’s herbal treatment from Health Herbs Clinic. The treatment is a miracle. My husband has recovered significantly! Visit their website at healthherbsclinic. com
ReplyWoodjones
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease following a neurological examination and other series of tests, my symptoms first appeared in February 2014 tremors in both limbs, rigid muscles, impaired posture.. all medications prescribed were not working and I sadly took off from my job, being a single Dad with two kids it was almost a hopeless situation. In September 2016, I read about Dr of Multivitamin herbal Care in a health forum, this herbal center has successful Parkinson’s disease herbal treatment and treatment for another list of terminal diseases, i contacted the herbal center via their email and purchased the Parkinson’s disease herbal remedy. I received the Parkinson’s disease herbal remedy via courier and immediately commenced usage. I used the remedy for about 18 weeks, and all my symptoms including tremors gradually disappeared till I almost forgot I had the disease, I have started working again, thanks to multivitamincare org Parkinson’s disease is not a death sentence, don’t die believing there is no cure, its a final breakthrough for all living with Parkinson’s disease.
Replybonnieechismaar
My husband has Parkinson’s disease, he is about 63 years old it was diagnosed 2 years ago. It was getting more difficult to live for him, because of stiff muscles he couldn’t even move. Mirapex and levodopa medicines were given, but didn’t give much relief. He couldn’t eat food without choking. I thought this might be the last stage and the medications he was given did not help at all, so I started to do alot of research on Ayurveda treatments, I was introduced to Health Natural Centre and their Parkinson’s Ayurveda Protocol. He started on the Ayurveda Treatment last year, his symptoms gradually diminished including his vocal cord spasm, Muscle Weakness, Tremors and Difficulty with swallowing. Reach them at naturalherbscentre . com , he is getting active again since starting this treatment, he is able to walk again ( down the street and back ) he has also resumed exercising to strengthen muscles!! God Bless all PD Caregivers. Stay Strong, take small moments throughout the day to thank yourself, to love your self, and pray to whatever faith, star, spiritual force you believe in and ask for strength. I can personally vouch for these remedy but you would probably need to decide what works best for you.
ReplyDonna11@bonnieechismaar
I started out taking only Azilect, then Mirapex,and then dopamine for my Parkinson disease, as the disease progressed they didn’t help much. A year ago I started on PD TREATMENT PROTOCOL from Aknni Herbs Centre (www.aknniherbscentre.com). One month into the treatment, I made a significant recovery, my symptoms were gone including tremors . It’s been months since I completed the treatment, I am symptom free and I live a very productive life all thanks to Aknni herbs centre !!!
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