Anti-inflammatory drug could halt progression of Parkinson's disease

A new drug has been found which could halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease in people by researchers in America.

The drug, which could be injected under the skin, can enter the brain to protect nerve cells from dying due to inflammation, to halt development of the disease.

Inflammation is a factor which has been linked to the progression of Parkinson’s, especially in the early stages of the condition.

Dr Beckie Port, Parkinson’s UK’s research communications officer commented on the research published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, said: "Current therapies for Parkinson's can help to manage the symptoms but do not prevent nerve cells from dying, meaning that the condition continues to progress.

"This new drug may have the potential to stop the condition in its tracks, but it is still very early days and more research is needed.

"We hope that if the drug continues to show promise it will be tested in clinical trials, where it can be given directly to people with Parkinson's."

Although the symptoms of Parkinson’s can be managed, there is currently no way of preventing the illness from progressing further, however the potential the new drug has to stop nerve cells from dying could become a key breakthrough.

Parkinson’s affects around 127,000 people in the UK which is around one person in every 500. The main symptoms connected to the illness are motor symptoms which affect a person’s movement skills, although some people experience non-motor symptoms such as pain and depression.

Parkinson’s UK is the largest charity funder for the research not the disease, and has currently invested over £65m into research. The charity hopes to increase this to over £70m by the end of 2014. The charity also campaigns on behalf of people with Parkinson’s to ensure they receive a consistently high level of care throughout the illness.