THE University College London, in the United Kingdom, will start testing a cough syrup in patients with Parkinson’s. Currently, there is no treatment for the neurological disease.
Ambroxol is marketed in tablet and syrup form and is used to relieve coughing by clearing secretions from the lungs of patients with respiratory illnesses. The medication also increases levels of the glucocerebrosity protein, and early studies suggest the drug may remove proteins associated with the degenerative condition in the brain.
The clinical trial will take place in up to 12 UK hospitals and involve 330 Parkinson’s patients. For two years, half of them will receive the medication, while the rest will take a placebo.
At the end of the period, the researchers will analyze the progression of the disease in both groups, especially the quality of life and movement of the volunteers.
promising protein
The glucocerebrosity protein is key to removing a harmful substance called alpha synuclein, which researchers believe accumulates in the brains of Parkinson’s patients. Alpha synuclein appears to be responsible for the symptoms of the disease, such as involuntary tremors, slow movements, and inflexible and stiff joints.
According to the researchers, the clinical trial is the closest the scientific community has ever come to developing an effective treatment for Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s is a neurological disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of the neurons responsible for producing dopamine.KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/ Getty Images
*****Photo-hand-tremendo.jpgThis degenerative process of nerve cells can affect different parts of the brain and, as a consequence, generate symptoms such as involuntary tremors, loss of motor coordination and muscle stiffness.Elizabeth Fernandez/Getty Images
*****Photo-nurse-helping-woman-to-get-up-from-armchair.jpgOther symptoms of the disease are slowness, muscle contraction, involuntary movements and postural instability.izusek/ Getty Images
*****Photo-elderly-sitting-eating.jpgIn advanced cases, the disease also prevents the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that regulates memory, learning and sleep.SimpleImages/ Getty Images
*****Photo-red-haired-woman-sitting-in-a-wheelchair.jpgAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), although the disease is known to affect elderly people, about 10% to 15% of diagnosed patients are under 50 years old.Ilya Ginzburg/EyeEm/ Getty Images
*****Picture-hands-on-the-others.jpgIt is not known for sure what causes Parkinson’s, but when it occurs in young people, it is common that it has a genetic relationship. In this case, the symptoms progress more slowly, and there is greater cognitive and life expectancy preservation.Visoot Uthairam/ Getty Images
*****Photo-person-doing-CT scan.jpgThe diagnosis is medical and requires a series of exams, such as: brain tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. For patients without symptoms, computed tomography is recommended to check the amount of dopamine in the brainJohnnyGreig/ Getty Images
*****Picture-people-looking-at-the-skull-x-ray.jpgParkinson’s has no cure, but treatment can slow the progression of symptoms and help with quality of life. In addition to medicine, monitoring by a multidisciplinary team is necessary. In some cases, brain surgery is possible.Andriy Onufriyenko/ Getty Images
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