New Drug Shows Promise in Slowing Parkinson’s Disease Progression
A Potential Breakthrough Treatment
A drug similar to those used in “skinny jabs” could help to slow the progression of symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, research suggests.
Parkinson’s Disease: A Global Challenge
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, more than 10 million people around the world are living with Parkinson’s – a condition in which nerve cells in the brain are lost over time causing problems with movement, balance, and memory, among other effects.
A Disease that Still Lacks a Cure
Although treatments are available to help manage symptoms, there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease.
Insight into Exciting Research
Recent scientific studies have brought attention to the potential benefits of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1R agonists) for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. One drug in particular, exenatide, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes, has shown the ability to slow the progression of motor symptoms in a small group of Parkinson’s patients.
New Findings with Lixisenatide
A research team has now discovered similar impelling effects with lixisenatide, another type 2 diabetes medication. The study supports the hypothesis that Parkinson’s could be linked to insulin resistance in the brain.
Excitement Over Research Results
Lead investigator Prof Wassilios Meissner of University Hospital of Bordeaux expressed great enthusiasm about the results, commenting, “We have to stay cautious about all the interpretation and about applicability at the current stage, but it is really a very, very clear and strong signal we have never seen except [in the] exenatide trial.”
Exploring the Effectiveness of GLP-1R Agonists
GLP-1R agonists have gained notable recognition for their use in managing type 2 diabetes and aiding weight loss. However, unlike exenatide and lixisenatide, other drugs from this class have limited ability to cross into the brain, making them less likely candidates for treating Parkinson’s disease.
Promising Study Design and Results
Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a French research team conducted a study involving 156 individuals recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Both groups, receiving their typical Parkinson’s medication, were randomly assigned to either an additional daily injection of lixisenatide or a placebo.
Throughout the study, participants were regularly examined for motor symptoms and assessed through a disease-severity score.
After 12 months, participants receiving lixisenatide showcased little to no progression of motor symptoms, while those in the placebo group experienced worsening symptoms. The difference in symptom progression was clinically meaningful, described as a modest but important finding.
The results remained consistent even after the trial concluded and participants ceased their other Parkinson’s medications overnight.
The researchers suggest that lixisenatide not only reduces symptoms but potentially protects against the loss of neurons in the brain.
Considerations and Future Direction
The study did reveal a drawback, with approximately 50% of lixisenatide recipients reporting nausea and 13% reporting vomiting.
The researchers advocate for further investigation to determine whether lixisenatide genuinely slows disease progression, whether the benefits endure over time or even amplify with an extended treatment duration, the ideal dosage, and whether the drug could benefit individuals with Parkinson’s at different stages.
Prominent Experts Look to the Future
Heather Mortiboys, a professor of cellular neuroscience and metabolism at the University of Sheffield, who was not involved in the study, highly regards these findings. She believes the new results present a very promising and exciting step in the ongoing fight against Parkinson’s and further support the potential of GLP-1R agonists.
