New drug ‘could slow progression of Parkinson’s disease’

A group of US scientists has found that a drug typically used for another condition can slow the progression of Parkinson's disease, which may have major implications for future treatment pathways.

The University of California, Los Angeles researchers set out to evaluate the efficacy of AT2101 in combating the effects of Gaucher disease, a rare genetic disorder, in a mouse model.

Published in the October edition of the journal Neurotherapeutics, their study showed that the drug improved motor function, stopped inflammation of the brain and reduced levels of alpha-synuclein – a protein found in all Parkinson's patients.

The scientists' findings could pave the way for further research into the relationship between Gaucher disease and Parkinson's, as well as into the potential of treatments for the latter condition based on the AT2101 compound.

Senior author Marie-Francoise Chesselet commented: "This is the first time a compound targeting Gaucher disease has been tested in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease and was shown to be effective."

Parkinson's affects around 127,000 people in the UK. Its symptoms include a loss of motor function, tremors and cognitive impairment.