Daily pill cuts brain inflammation in at-risk Parkinson's patients
An experimental pill reduced brain inflammation in 41 people with early Parkinson's signs. This marks a breakthrough in slowing the disease itself.
Sydney researchers gave an experimental daily pill to 41 people with early warning signs of Parkinson's disease. Scans showed the pill reduced brain inflammation in the movement control region.
Professor Simon Lewis said this is the first drug shown to possibly slow the disease itself. The pill does more than just treat the symptoms.
More than 150,000 Australians currently live with Parkinson's. That number is expected to triple by 2050.
Longer trials are needed to prove the drug actually prevents the disease. Lewis said the current research costs $6 million.
But they need far more money to run the trials they plan. He cautioned against raising false hopes.
But he called the early result genuinely exciting for a community that has had few breakthroughs.
- 41
- People in study
- Over 150,000
- Australians with Parkinson's now
- Triple
- Expected cases by 2050
- $6 million
- Current research cost
Why it mattersIf the pill proves effective in longer trials, it could offer the first chance to stop Parkinson's developing. Right now we wait until symptoms appear and then treat the disease.
AustraliaAustralian patients and researchers could be among the first to access a preventative treatment, and the discovery may attract more funding to Parkinson's research in Australia.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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