Successfully tested against Parkinson’s disease therapy
Researchers at the Molecular Research Center Fontenay-aux-Roses, tested in monkeys a new treatment that prevents the involuntary movements that accompany Parkinson’s disease.
A study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, shows the results of an investigation by a team of French doctors successfully tested a gene therapy to treat Parkinson’s disease.
To simulate the disease, scientists administered to the monkeys a neurotoxin that causes the disease until the animals showed tremor, rigidity and unstable posture are characteristic of Parkinson’s disease
In this disease, the loss of dopamine results in the uncontrolled body movements. Therefore, the normal treatment is to administer to patients drugs that increase the level of the substance in the brain. However, this therapy does not maintain dopamine levels for normal operation, leading to a disorder called tardive motor.
The constant observation of animals over three years revealed a restoration of dopamine levels, corrected motor disorders and had no side effects. In its report, the scientists suggest that it is already conducting a clinical trial of this treatment in humans.