Experts explore which of the existing strategies to slow down or stop the processes of Parkinson’s disease are most likely to be successful over the next 20 years.
Understanding of the processes involved in Parkinson’s disease (PD) degeneration has vastly improved over the last 20 years. Published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, authors Tom Foltynie, MBBS, PhD, Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Institute of Neurology & The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, UK, and J. William Langston, MD, Associate Director, Stanford Udall Center, Department of Pathology, Stanford University, USA, explain the progress of research.
Let’s talk Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s is a slowly progressive disorder that affects movement, muscle control, and balance.
“Our understanding of PD pathophysiology has vastly improved compared to what we knew 20 years ago,” explained the study authors.
“We believe we can be optimistic that the next 20 years will see major breakthroughs towards the discovery of therapies that may slow, stop, or reverse PD.”
The authors summarise recent advances, including identification of the major genetic risks for Parkinson’s disease, development of more representative animal models of the disease, early successes using Antisense Oligonucleotide and vaccination approaches in other neurodegenerative diseases, along with a translational pipeline of a broad range of repurposed drugs showing the first signals of potential efficacy, which are being driven forward through the various clinical trial stages.
The holy grail of research
“Slowing disease progression in PD has been described as the ‘holy grail’ of research,” the authors add.
Below are a few examples of the promising developments:
- New therapeutic targets following the discovery of genetic risk factors, such as autosomal dominant mutations in the LRRK2 gene; and the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase), which is reduced in patients with mutations in the GBA gene – including treatment with Ambroxol, a drug already licensed for lung surfactant deficiency
- Targeting ‘non-motor’ features of Parkinson’s disease such as cognitive, speech, gait, and balance difficulties and autonomic failure, which may precede the onset of motor symptoms, and could provide an even earlier window to start therapy, with an opportunity to slow or stop the development of even the first motor symptoms of Parkinson’s
- Treatment with glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists that are licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and have neuroprotective properties across the whole range of animal models of Parkinson’s disease, including two alpha-synuclein models. There are plans for a phase 3 trial of exenatide, and there is growing interest in exploring other drugs in this class for their potential disease-modifying properties
- Repurposing drugs used in other therapies such as those used to treat primary biliary cirrhosis and chronic myelocytic leukaemia, and agonists of the beta adrenoceptor (Salbutamol, Clenbuterol)
- Use of immunomodulatory therapies to prevent or slow disease progression, including, for example, Azathioprine and Sargramostim.
The authors conclude: “There are currently no drugs that have been proven to slow down PD progression. Demonstrating that one or several of the candidate approaches is successful will lead to a frameshift in patient care.
“Useful cooperation and coordination between investigators around the globe are significantly accelerating the path towards discovering agents that may slow, stop, or even reverse the progression of PD.”
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease nearly 4 years ago, at age 51. I had a stooped posture, tremors, muscle stiffness, sleeplessness, and slow movement. I was placed on Sinemet for 7 months and then Sifrol and rotigotine were introduced which replaced the Sinemet but I had to stop due to side effects. I was in denial for a while as there is no history of PD in my family. I also used amantadine, and physical therapy to strengthen muscles all failed. I decided to adopt a more natural approach and started on Parkinson’s Herbal formula from Organic Herbal Clinic, the Parkinson’s natural formula immensely helped my condition, i had a total recovery from PD with this natural herbal formula treatment. Organic Herbal Clinic official web site
Also send the herbal information to me memalbasa@yahoo.com. Thank you in advance.
can you please advise the clinic and medication that was used?
Laurel Baruss–I read y our 3/20/19 comments with great interest. I am 72; was diagnosed 6 y rs. ago and have been on sinemet since. My symptoms now slowly increasing. Would you please update me on your PD situation? Your total recovery is wonderful. Are you still symptom free? Still on the natural herbal formula? Thank You for sharing your experience and for responding to my query. Blessings to You! JG
Could you give me more information on this Herbal formula. The axact name so I can order it. please.
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Hi, what us this herbal therapy? My dad has Parkinson’s and looking for help
Jo
Hi my husband has Parkinson’s for about 4 years and is really struggling with drooping on one side and balance also getting onto the bed and swallowing please advise as he is 68 yrs old and we would really appreciate if this disease can slow down or be cured
Indeed natural herbal medicine are the best, I was cured by madida herbal supplements of my Parkinson’s disease. I am perfectly okay now… You can visit Mdida Herbal clinic validated website as soon as possible for more information and help.
In February last year, out of nowhere, my eyes became light sensitive, had slurred speech, my vocal cords seemed strained and my legs/hands began to shake uncontrollably, and I was diagnosed of PARKINSON DISEASE. I started out taking only Azilect, then Mirapex and sinemet as the disease progressed but didn’t help much. In September, I started on PARKINSON DISEASE TREATMENT PROTOCOL from Herbal Health Point (ww w. herbalhealthpoint. c om). One month into the treatment, I made a significant recovery. After I completed the recommended treatment plan, almost all my symptoms were gone. Its been 6 months since I completed the treatment, I live a better life
After my PD diagnosis, I started out taking only Azilect, then Mirapex and sinemet as the disease progressed but didn’t help much. In July last year, I started on PARKINSON DISEASE TREATMENT PROTOCOL from Herbal Health Point (ww w. herbalhealthpoint. c om). Few months into the treatment, I made a significant recovery. After I completed the recommended treatment plan, almost all my symptoms were gone, had wonderful improvement with my movement and tremors . Its been 6 months since I completed the treatment, I live a better life
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Did those taking herbal also take levodopa?