PARKINSON'S DISEASE: A NEW DRUG ON THE HORIZON

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PARKINSON'S DISEASE: A NEW DRUG ON THE HORIZON







Parkinson's disease is a tough, progressive condition with limited treatment options and no cure so far. However, a team of researchers from the University of Arizona believes they may have discovered a new approach that could mitigate the disease's effects.

Their study, published in Experimental Neurology, is still at the animal-testing stage, but early results are promising. The researchers focused on a protein called PNA5 and found that, in mice engineered to develop a Parkinson-like condition, PNA5 seemed to protect brain cells from damage.

Kelsey Bernard, the study's lead author and a postdoctoral researcher in neurology, explained that the goal is to target the cognitive symptoms of Parkinson's and, more importantly, to prevent further degeneration. "By going down the protective route, we can hopefully prevent cognitive decline from continuing," Bernard said in a statement from the university.

Parkinson's affects over half a million Americans, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. However, because the disease can often go unrecognized in its early stages, the actual number might be closer to a million.

Dr. Lalitha Madhavan, a senior author of the study, emphasized the need for early intervention, especially since cognitive symptoms are so difficult to treat. "When patients are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, 25% to 30% already have mild cognitive impairment. As the disorder progresses, 50% to 70% of patients complain of cognitive problems," Madhavan said. Unfortunately, there isn't an effective way to treat the cognitive decline that often accompanies Parkinson's.

PNA5, the protein used in the study, was first developed by University of Arizona physiology professor Meredith Hay. Bernard noted that the causes of Parkinson's are still unclear, but brain cells called microglia seem to play a significant role. Usually,, these cells help protect the brain, but if they become overactive—oftendue tof inflammation—they can cause more damage. In Parkinson's, constantly activated microglia can make inflammation worse and harm neurons responsible for thinking and memory.

In the mice, PNA5 treatment reduced levels of an inflammatory chemical in the blood and helped preserve brain cells. Other researchers at the university have also improved PNA5 so that it can enter the brain more quickly and remain there longer.

Although these discoveries are still early, and what works in animals doesn't always translate to humans, the researchers are encouraged. "PNA5 seems to have a possibility of stopping or delaying Parkinson's progression to some extent and could improve the health of brain cells or prevent cells from dying," Madhavan said. She also thinks PNA5 might help with other brain diseases, such as vascular dementia and Alzheimer's.

While PNA5 probably won't address every symptom of Parkinson's, Madhavan sees it as part of a broader treatment strategy. "I think about it as a cog in the wheel—there are going to be other drugs that support other aspects of Parkinson's," she said. "Taking multiple drugs is never fun, but it's a complex condition and there can only be complex solutions. The beauty of the brain is the interconnectedness, but it also adds to the complexity."

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