Advances in Parkinson’s research
Every day brings new of “breakthroughs” in biomedical research. Most of these are incremental advances, and many you never hear about again because they couldn’t be replicated, failed in early clinical trials, or some other problem.
But as described in this link from Wired, I think this could be real progress for Parkinson’s therapy research. While I’ve checked for all the known risk alleles in genes like SNCA, PINK1, LRRK2, PARK7, etc. in my genome sequence and I don’t have ’em, there are sporadic cases that aren’t associated with specific genetic risk.
It looks like there are now new tests–one involving cerebrospinal fluid and one scratch-and-sniff test–that predict Parkinson’s years before the pathological symptoms appear. This will impact drug discovery for early treatment and prevention, since pharma can now pre-screen for at-risk subjects at clinical trial enrollment.
Early detection of Parkinson’s
But as described in this link from Wired, I think this could be real progress for Parkinson’s therapy research. While I’ve checked for all the known risk alleles in genes like SNCA, PINK1, LRRK2, PARK7, etc. in my genome sequence and I don’t have ’em, there are sporadic cases that aren’t associated with specific genetic risk.
It looks like there are now new tests–one involving cerebrospinal fluid and one scratch-and-sniff test–that predict Parkinson’s years before the pathological symptoms appear. This will impact drug discovery for early treatment and prevention, since pharma can now pre-screen for at-risk subjects at clinical trial enrollment.
Early detection of Parkinson’s
Bydureon (a.k.a., Exenatide), a repurposed Type 2 Diabetes drug, is now in third-stage trials in UK for stopping Parkinson’s in its tracks — results expected 2024. Testing — mice, open label, double blind — has been going on since 2010 and it has been positive every time.
https://scienceofparkinsons.com/2018/06/13/exenatide/
According to a very sensitive test, Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), 2/3 of Parkinson’s patients are supposed to be insulin resistant. IR may be treated with Bydureon (Exanatide). Just an angle that might get us one step closer to getting Bydureon.
https://www.cureparkinsons.org.uk/news/glp1meeting
South Korean researchers have learned how to dial our cells back to stem cell stage — and are now administering monkey stem cells to parts of their brains that are short on dopamine producing cells — with the hope they will fill in and take over the job.
Started this before with stem cells from other monkeys and had some success I think until local immune systems attacked foreign cells.
So there is even realistic hope for a cure.
https://www.today.com/video/new-vibrating-glove-eliminates-parkinson-s-tremor-157390405854
@Denis,
Yes, there’s hope. There’s always hope. Hope is not a cure.
Not exactly pertinent but: As a very likely Parkinsons’ candidate*, I naturally asked if there were any prophylactic/preventative measures I could take. I am utterly shocked that multiple Parkinson’s medical professionals I consulted (and even practitioners in the PPMI study that I was flown to another city to participate in) all said “no,” or suggested exercise (which only ameliorates symptoms after onset, does not prevent/delay symptom onset).
Every single one of them failed to mention the ~only correct answer: drink 3+ cups of coffee a day. Among those with RBD symptoms, this reduces five-year chance of Parkinsons-symptom onset by ~33%. Smoking is the other [less-powerful] prophylactic (and no, it’s [mostly] not about nicotine.)
Presumably the cute pharma reps who educate these practitioners in such matters, and have no (expensive) prophylactic drugs on offer, never mentioned coffee and smoking…
Happily, as a writer, I never did abandon those practices, which I’m here to tell ya, are incredibly positive for the writing process. Fingers crossed…
* RBD emerged ~3 yrs ago, and my mom got RBD at similar age, died of Parkinsons. Research sez I have 33% chance of Parkinsons’ symptoms five years from RBD onset (2 yrs from now), 66% after 10 yrs, ~100% after 15. RBD is the #1 best (nearly the only) predictor of Parkinson’s.
@Steve,
“Among those with RBD symptoms, this reduces five-year chance of Parkinsons-symptom onset by ~33%.”
This is not evidence for prevention/prophylaxis. This describes a *delay in onset* for ca. 1/3 of at-risk patients. That’s not the same as what you said you asked your docs. Of course, a delay may be all many people need–they’ll die of something else first.
I used to drink 3+ cups of coffee a day. I never got a good nights sleep. When I dialed back to one or two cups and none after lunch, I started waking up spontaneously at 4:30-5 AM completely rested. I’m not going back to 3+ cups. Of course, I have no known risk factors for PD.
“Smoking is the other [less-powerful] prophylactic (and no, it’s [mostly] not about nicotine.)”
Well, some folks will die of cancer, heart disease or stroke before they get PD, I guess. Smoking seems like pretty crummy therapy to me. Here’s hoping that better therapies emerge.
Crap . . . Steve . . .
I am sorry to here this. It sounds like you are on the path already. Been drinking coffee since the Corps in 68. So I guess I am doing the best I can for now if I had the start of such. It says six on the coffee pot but, it is three cups for me. I have ITP. Not a killer but a surprise when my platelets disappear from time to time. I think it may be from the water from Lejeune.
I do want to go over that chart with you. It takes me a while to figure things out. Have to read the comment a few times and then the lights go on for the meaning.
Reach out to us and don’t just disappear. I was with Dan almost till the end when we could no longer talk. A very sad moment for me.