Washington: A diabetes drug has slowed the progression of motor problems associated with Parkinson’s disease, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine said on Wednesday.
Parkinson’s is a devastating nervous system disorder that affects 10 million people worldwide for which there is currently no cure. Symptoms include rhythmic tremors known as tremors, slowing of movement, slurred speech, and problems that worsen over time.
The researchers were interested in studying a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which produce gut hormones and are commonly used to treat diabetes and obesity, for their potential to protect neurons.
However, clinical benefits for patients have so far been limited, and preliminary studies have proven inconclusive.
In the new paper, 156 early-stage Parkinson’s patients were recruited across France and then randomized to receive lixisenatide, sold under the brand names Adlyxin and Lixumia and manufactured by Sanofi, or a placebo.
After a year of follow-up, the injection-treated group had no worsening of motor symptoms in the placebo group.
On paper, the effect is “modest” and only affects “tasks like walking, standing, moving your arms, etc.,” Olivier Rascol, a neuroscientist at the University of Toulouse, told AFP. proven when assessed by experts.
But he added that this could be because his Parkinson’s disease is slowly worsening and the difference will become more apparent as the year goes on.
“This is the first result that shows that we have an influence on the development of disease symptoms and explains it with a neuroprotective effect,” says Rascol.
Gastrointestinal side effects are common with the drug, including nausea, vomiting, and reflexes, and a small number of patients experience snoring.
Rasol and Vassilios Meissner, a neurologist at Bordeaux University Hospital, both said more research is needed to confirm safety and efficacy before the treatment can be given to patients.
Michael Okun, medical director of the Parkinson’s Foundation, told AFP that from a practical point of view, the difference in patient outcomes is not clinically significant, but “statistically and compared to other studies, this difference deserves our interest and attention.”
“Experts will debate whether this study meets the minimum threshold for neuroprotection,” said Okun, adding that the harmful effects of obesity apply to Parkinson’s patients.
Rodolfo Savica, professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, added: “The data so far show possible results, but further tests are needed.”
He added that although the study included patients between the ages of 40 and 75, dividing them by age group could have revealed a more effective age for treatment.
The authors of the new study said they are looking forward to the results of other trials that may help to confirm their findings.
