An Australian-led clinical trial has shown promising results for an experimental drug that could help delay or even prevent Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers at Macquarie University tested a daily pill in people with a sleep disorder that can appear years before a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
After 12 weeks, brain scans showed reduced inflammation in a region involved in controlling movement.
What the trial found
The phase two trial involved 41 people with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder, known as iRBD.
The condition causes people to physically act out their dreams, sometimes kicking, punching or thrashing around in their sleep. It is one of the strongest recognised warning signs for Parkinson’s and related neurological conditions.
Thirty participants received SNT-4728, an Australian-developed experimental pill, while 11 received a placebo.
Researchers used PET scans to measure brain inflammation at the beginning of the trial and after 12 weeks of treatment.
Twenty of the 30 participants taking the drug had less brain inflammation after treatment.
“What the study showed was a significant reduction of inflammation in a critical area of the brain involved in movement,” lead researcher Professor Simon Lewis said.
“If we can save those cells, people may never develop a disease like Parkinson’s because you are actively slowing down that cell death.”
The hope for earlier treatment
Parkinson’s disease is the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the world, with more than 10 million people affected globally. In Australia, over 150,000 people are living with the condition, with around 50 diagnosed every day, according to Parkinson’s Australia.
The progressive neurological condition affects nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a chemical that helps control movement. As dopamine levels fall, symptoms include tremors, stiffness and slower movements, as well as changes in sleep, mood and digestion.
There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s but medications can help manage symptoms.
The hope is that treating inflammation at this early stage could help protect brain cells before the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s appear. Longer trials are now needed to establish whether the effects last and whether the drug can actually delay or prevent the disease.
