Parkinson's disease affects more than one million people in the United States, slowly robbing them of the ability to control their own bodies. Although doctors can prescribe drugs that control symptoms of the disease, there is nothing that can stop this neurological disease from getting worse. But researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are part of a new, nationwide effort funded by the National Institutes of Health to find drugs that may actually slow the progression of Parkinson's disease.
"Finding this kind of drug is truly the holy grail," says Lisa Shulman, M.D., a neurologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center and an associate professor of neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "Right now, we have very good drugs to control Parkinson's symptoms, but nothing to prevent those symptoms from getting worse. Finding a drug or drug combination to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease may also provide leads on how to slow the progression of other neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's."
For this research project, University of Maryland doctors are looking for people who have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. They may have some tremor or have some difficulty with movement, but their symptoms cannot be severe enough to require medication.
"It can take years before Parkinson's disease becomes disabling, however patients see their ability to function decrease over time. Even simple tasks like walking, getting dressed or eating will become more difficult," explains William Weiner, M.D., director of the Parkinson's Disease Center and chief of neurology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, and professor and chairman of neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "With these trials, we're hoping to find ways to preserve those functional abilities, which could make a huge difference in many people's lives."
Several different drugs currently show promise, including some dietary supplements. Creatine, a supplement used by bodybuilders, and minocycline, an FDA-approved drug, will be the first agents investigated. Coenzyme Q, a naturally occurring compound, and other agents will be studied in the next phase of the program.
University of Maryland researchers are coordinating with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as part of a nationwide effort to find drugs that may slow the progression of Parkinson's. "The NIH effort is unprecedented," says Dr. Shulman. "This is a comprehensive, systematic effort to examine a number of promising agents. Since Parkinson's disease is a very gradual, progressive condition, it takes many patients and a significant period of time to demonstrate that drugs are having an impact on the course of the disease. By coordinating the research at dozens of centers across the country, we are hopeful we can find a neuro-protective drug sooner."
Many doctors feel this is a particularly important time to make a breakthrough, as more and more baby boomers approach their older years, when Parkinson's disease usually develops. Most people begin to develop Parkinson's symptoms in their late 50s or early 60s, although it can affect younger people.
Researchers don't know what causes Parkinson's disease, but it affects the brain's ability to produce dopamine, the neurotransmitter involved in the communication between the brain cells for motor control. Symptoms include rigidity of the limbs and difficulty initiating movement. Many patients have a tremor that may involve the arms or the legs.
"Parkinson's patients should know that there is a lot of research activity going on," says Dr. Weiner. "There's an explosion of knowledge that's being translated into studies, trying to zero in on something that could slow the disease. It's quite amazing that so many drugs are ready to be tested at the same time in patients with early Parkinson's disease."
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