Naturally Occurring Molecule That Could Treat Parkinson’s Disease … – Inside Precision Medicine

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• The road ahead: 2022 January 20, 2022 # # # # The first post at the start of each year on the SoPD website tries to provide an overview of where things are in the search for ‘disease modifying’ therapies for Parkinson’s.  It is an exercise in managing expectations as well as discussing what research events are scheduled for the next year so that we can keep…
• The road ahead: 2021 January 25, 2021 # # # # At the start of each year, it is a useful practise to layout what is planned over the next 12 months. The events that are scheduled for the year to come, so that we can keep an eye out for them. Obviously, where 2021 will end actually is unpredictable, but an outline of what is scheduled…
• The road ahead: 2020 January 5, 2020 Here at the SoPD, we are primarily interested in disease modification for Parkinson’s. While there is a great deal of interesting research exploring the causes of the condition, novel symptomatic therapies, and other aspects of Parkinson’s, my focus is generally on the science seeking to slow, stop or reverse the condition. At the start of each year, it is a…
• UCB at ANN looks A-OK April 26, 2021 # # # # Alpha synuclein is one of the most common proteins in our brains and it has long been associated with Parkinson’s. The protein appears to clump together forming dense clusters ( or “aggregates“) in the Parkinsonian brain, and this may be related to the progressive neurodegeneration. Researchers have been desperately seeking small molecules that will break up…
• ADepTing to the UCB-Novartis deal December 6, 2021 # # # # Alpha synuclein has long been viewed at “Public enemy #1” by the Parkinson’s research community. This sticky, abundant protein starts to cluster (or aggregate) in Parkinson’s. There have been several attempts to reduce levels of the protein floating around outside of cells (using “immunotherapy” approaches) But now clinical research is ramping up to determine if reducing…
• The basket case February 10, 2021 # # # # One of the more interesting pieces of clinical trial news in 2020 was the publication of the results of a “basket study” for neurological conditions. This was a trial that involved a drug being tested on a selection of neurodegenerative conditions, rather than just one condition. Between December 2013 to May 2017, researchers recruited a total…
• Turn back Bach? November 16, 2021 # # # # Cellular activity generates a lot of waste and by-products. Cells have developed very efficient methods of dealing with this situation. As we age, however, these processes become strained, and in degenerative conditions they appear to be rather dysfunctional.  New research highlights a novel mechanism – Bach1 derepression – which points towards a new class of potential…
• Monthly Research Review – February 2021 February 28, 2021 # # # # At the end of each month the SoPD writes a post which provides an overview of some of the major pieces of Parkinson’s-related research that were made available during February 2021. The post is divided into eight parts based on the type of research: Basic biology Disease mechanism Clinical research New clinical trials Clinical trial news…
• Prevail lands on a Lilly pad December 15, 2020 # # # # 2020 has been a dreadful year for most of the world – burdened by the outbreak and consequences of COVID-19. Despite this, there has been a steady stream of biotech acquisitions related to Parkinson’s which have helped to keep morale high in the PD research community. In October alone, we saw the Portuguese pharmaceutical company Bial…
• The Llama-nation of LRRK2 April 8, 2022 # # # # Antibodies are tiny y-shaped markers used by the immune system to label foreign agents within the body. Once bound to something, antibodies can alert immune cells to come and remove the object. Antibodies can also inhibit the object from doing anything nasty, like infecting or damaging a cell. Between species, different types of antibodies have been…
• The Minnesota UDCA study February 15, 2020   The results of a small clinical study evaluating the safety and tolerability of Ursodeoxycholic acid (or UDCA) in people with Parkinson’s have recently been published. UDCA is a naturally occurring bile acid that is used in the treatment of gallstones. More recently, however, researchers have reported that this clinically available medication has beneficial effects in models of Parkinson’s. The…
• Trying to LIMP-2 the lysosome February 8, 2021 # # # # Lysosomes are small bags of enzymes that are used to break down material inside of cells – digesting newly absorbed food or recycling old/used proteins and rubbish. Recently researchers have been discovering increasing evidence that points towards dysfunction in lysosomes as a key influential player in neurodegenerative conditions, like Parkinson’s. There are several Parkinson’s genetic risk…
• The “What would I do” post? Part 2 January 22, 2022 # # # # I am very regularly asked “what would you do if you were diagnosed with Parkinson’s tomorrow?” As a research scientist I don’t really feel comfortable answering it, but I can see how it is a fair question. I have previously attempted to address it (Click here to read that post), and I point folks who do…
• Super Precision Medicine February 8, 2021 Last week was a tough one for Parkinson’s clinical trials. First came news from Biogen that their antibody targeting alpha-synuclein had failed to meet its endpoints. Then the French pharma company Sanofi released news that their drug for people with a GBA mutation had also failed a phase 2 trial. The first was not a huge shock, researchers on both…
• Parkinson's Disease News - Editor's Picks (Archive 2016.07) September 30, 2016 Newsfeed: PD News PD Research News PD Fitness News PD Boxing News PD Web Articles PD Blogs PD Editor's Picks PD Twitter Newsfeed Pedaling for Parkinson’sThat is what it’s like living with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, neurodegenerative disorder in which the loss of cells in various parts of the brain leaves people less able to control their…
• ISRIB: The ISR InhiBitor April 24, 2021 # # # # In December 2020, a research paper was published that drew a lot of attention. It involved a molecule that reversed memory deficits in aged mice – even weeks after treatment has stopped. The treatment involved inhibition of the integrated stress response. In today’s post, we will explore what the integrated stress response is, review the data…
• Making a (G)case for quetiapine October 9, 2021 # # # # Drug repurposing (repositioning, reprofiling or re-tasking) is a strategy of identifying novel uses for clinically approved (or experimental) drugs that fall outside the scope of the original medical indication. Many drug repurposing efforts have started with screening experiments, looking for drugs with certain properties. Recently, researchers conducted a drug repurposing screening experiment for molecules that enhance…
• Slow-wave sleep saves synucleinopathy? December 12, 2021   # # # # Good sleep patterns have important implications for all of us in terms of health and well being, but sleep is often disrupted for people with Parkinson’s. Research suggests that people with Parkinson’s have reduced amounts of slow wave and REM sleep, and increased periods of wakefulness. A new report has found that increasing levels of…
• Forget Special K, maybe focus on LysoK February 20, 2021 # # # # Over the last 20 years, researchers have identified a number of genetic variations that can confer an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s. Tiny alterations in regions of DNA (called genes) – which provide the instructions for making a protein – can increase one’s chances of Parkinson’s. A better understanding of the biological pathways associated with these…
• GCase: Mutants matter? February 20, 2022 # # # # Tiny genetic variations in a region of DNA called the GBA gene are associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s. The information in the GBA gene provides the instructions for making an enzyme (called GCase) which is involved with waste disposal inside of cells. Individuals with Parkinson’s who carry a variation in their GBA gene…
• Repurposing bumetanide for Alzheimer’s October 15, 2021 # # # # Bumetanide (Bumex) is a diuretic drug (a medication that removes water, by increasing the production of urine). It is used to treat swelling caused by heart failure or liver or kidney disease. It is a widely used drug that has been well characterised in clinical use. Recently researchers conducted a screening study to identify clinically available…
• The influence of influenza November 25, 2021 # # # # The potential long-term consequences of viral infections is not a popular topic for a research blog in the middle of a pandemic (and yes, we are still in the middle of it!), but there is a recent Parkinson’s-related report that is worth discussing. Researchers have recently looked at medical records dating back several decades and noticed…