Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Also Included In: Neurology / Neuroscience Article Date: 20 Jun 2013 - 11:00 PDT Current ratings for: Drug Compound Attacks Parkinson's Disease On Two Fronts Study leader, Professor Phil LoGrasso explained that the two proteins (enzymes) tend to amply each others' effect. "What we were looking for is a high-affinity, high-selectivity treatment that is additive or synergistic in its effect - a one-two punch." The scientists believe that is exactly what they have found - a one-two punch. The new dual inhibitor attacks two enzymes - JNK (c-jun-N-terminal kinase) and LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2). After testing many thousands of Parkinson's patients, those with mutations in the LRRK2 gene had a much higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease. On the other hand, JNK plays a major role in nerve cell (neuron) survival in several neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, they have become popular targets for medications to treat Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. A dual inhibitor, i.e. one with both HNK and LRRK2 inhibitors, is more preferable to having two separate medications because there would be no risk of drug-drug interactions, as well as having to adjust individual inhibitor doses for best efficacy. … Continue reading →

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA--(Marketwired - Jun 20, 2013) - Melbourne-based Prana Biotechnology (ASX: PBT) (NASDAQ: PRAN) today welcomed the release of data which indicates its drug candidate PBT434 shows significant disease-modifying capability in multiple animal models of Parkinson's Disease (PD) with potential utility in a range of movement disorders. PD is caused by the death of specialized neurons in the region of the brain called the substantia nigra. This is the only part of the brain where iron, dopamine (a neurotransmitter) and the alpha synuclein protein are all present at high concentrations. In PD, iron binds to dopamine, preventing it from functioning normally, and creating toxic free radicals. Iron also binds to alpha synuclein, causing it to aggregate. The aggregation of this protein is a well-established pathological feature of PD, and a target for new disease-modifying therapies. PBT434 prevents alpha synuclein from aggregating and also prevents the toxic consequences of iron combining with dopamine. In a further sign of the potential of PBT434 as an effective treatment, its therapeutic benefits were seen to be dose-dependent. Increasing increments of the drug resulted in increased preservation of neurons and increased improvement in motor function. "These data are highly positive and support the advancement of … Continue reading →

NeuroDerm, which has developed a method of administering drugs via the skin, has announced good results in a trial of its product that combines two treatments for Parkinson's disease administered dermally. This is the second product in the company's pipeline, and it is now completing the Phase IIa stage of trials, the initial efficacy stage. The product at the most advanced stage of development is a single treatement for Parkinson's disease administered via the skin, which has already successfully undergone a Phase IIIb multi-center efficacy trial. 54 healthy volunteers aged 18-40 took part in the current trial. It was found that the material does not cause side-effects beyond those expected, that the level of the drug in the blood remains uniform, and that the company succeeded in controlling the levels of the drug, making them higher during the day and lower, but still at the desired level, during the night, and again higher the following morning, so that the person being tested would awake in a state in which he or she was already capable of movement. According to NeuroDerm CEO Dr. Oded Lieberman, the new product is especially efficacious in comparison with products administered by swallowing, in that it … Continue reading →

X-ray of a skull during treatment of Parkinson's disease by electric stimulation of electrodes implanted in the thalamus. THE CANADIAN PRESS/PHOTOTAKE The Parkinson Society will host its 22nd annual gala fundraiser in downtown Toronto next month. The group, formally known as the Parkinson Society Central & Northern Ontario, will hold the Pitch In! gala dinner on July 21. New this year is a silent auction, Parkinson Society spokesperson Alineh Haidery told CityNews.ca, with prizes like a round of golf at the world-renowned Glen Abbey course and tickets to a Toronto Blue Jays game on Aug. 15, where the team will take on the Chicago Red Sox. Former Blue Jays catcher and current Sportsnet analyst Gregg Zaun will host the evening. We chose Gregg because his mother is currently living with the disease, Haidery said. Guests will be able to speak with him over the course of the night. The event is held in partnership with Parkinson Society Canada and will help raise funds for research as well as support services, education and advocacy for people living with Parkinsons. Parkinsons is a neurodegenerative disease that can cause tremors, slowness, stiffness and impaired balance. The society estimates nearly 100,000 Canadians have the … Continue reading →