20th May 2014 - New research

PRAMIPEXOLE CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

European Journal of Neurology [2014] 21 (5) : 736-743 (R.A.Hauser, A.H.Schapira, P. Barone, Y.Mizuno, O.Rascol, M.Busse, C.Debieuvre, M.Fraessdorf, W.Poewe) Complete abstract

The long term safety and efficacy of pramipexole was assessed as an extended-release oral formulation and immediate release formulation in early or advanced Parkinson's Disease. Pramipexole, which is marketed as Mirapex, Mirapexin, and Sifrol, is a dopamine agonist. For more information go to Pramipexole

In those people with early Parkinson's Disease the reported side effects were somnolence (15%), peripheral edema (11%) and back pain (10%). The scores on the Parkinson's Disease symptom score (UPDRS) after over 2 years were down by 6.6 when using extended release pramipexole and 6.3 when using immediate release pramipexole. In those people with advanced Parkinson's Disease the reported side effects were dyskinesia (27%), somnolence (13%), and impulse control disorders (1%). The scores on the Parkinson's Disease symptom score (UPDRS) after over 2 years were down by 11.5 when using extended release pramipexole and 9.1 when using immediate release pramipexole.

In both early and advanced Parkinson's Disease better efficacy was achieved when using the extended release version of pramipexole. The adverse events were typical for dopaminergic drugs. In order to refer to this article on its own click here

16th May 2014 - New research

THE EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Journal of Neurological Science [2014] Apr 24 [Epub ahead of print] (H.J.Kim, B.S.Jeon) Complete abstract

A comprehensive review was carried out to assess the evidence from recent clinical studies regarding the efficacy of acupuncture on Parkinson's Disease. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of medicine in which fine needles are inserted and manipulated into the skin at certain points on the body for therapeutic purposes. For more information go to Acupuncture

Eleven suitable studies were indentified. Two randomized clinical trials failed to show any benefit. The other study did not show beneficial effects of needle acupuncture. Three randomized clinical trials that assessed effects of acupuncture in addition to conventional drugs reported beneficial effects of acupuncture. However, there was no control acupuncture group in those studies. Two uncontrolled studies showed significant positive effects of acupuncture, while other two uncontrolled clinical trials failed. Safety and tolerability were reported only in five clinical trials. No studies evaluated the long lasting effects of acupuncture following cessation of the treatment.

The number of clinical trials, their total sample size, and the way they were carried out, were not enough to prove the favorable effects of acupuncture. So far the evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating Parkinson's Disease is not convincing. In order to refer to this article on its own click here

9th May 2014 - New research

DIABETES TREATMENT FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Journal of Parkinson's Disease [2014] Mar 24 [Epub ahead of print] (I.Aviles-Olmos, J.Dickson, Z.Kefalopoulou, A.Djamshidian, J.Kahan, P.E.Fmedsci, P.Whitton, R.Wyse, T. Isaacs, A.Lees, P.Limousin, T.Foltynie)   Complete abstract

Exenatide, which is a treatment for diabetes, has been tested as a disease modifying treatment for Parkinson's Disease. Exenatide is an injected glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist medication marketed as Byett and Bydureon. It is used in the treatment of insulin resistance in patients with Type 2 diabetes. It differs in pharmacological action and chemical structure from insulin. For more information go to Exenatide

Using the MDS-UPDRS, which is a means of assessing the extent of Parkinson's Disease symptoms, people with Parkinson's Disease were assessed who had previously taken Exenatide. People with Parkinson's Disease had an advantage of 5.6 points (with a range of 2.2 to 9.0) on the assessment. They also had a better score when assessed concerning dementia. Unusually, the effect of Exenatide on Parkinson's Disease had continued beyond its use. The authors do not suggest how this diabetes drug can have effect in Parkinson's Disease.

In a previous study, when people with moderate Parkinson's Disease received subcutaneous injections of Exenatide for a year there were marginal improvements in Parkinson's Disease motor and cognitive measures. Exenatide treated patients had a mean improvement after one year on the UPDRS of 2.7 compared with a mean decline of 2.2 points in controls. Exenatide was well tolerated but weight loss was common. For more information go to the  Complete abstract In order to refer to this article on its own click here