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The Lancet
Study indicates diabetes drug could help slow progression of Parkinson's
Parkinson’s is the second largest neurological condition in Ireland.
A DRUG THAT’S used to treat people with diabetes could help those with Parkinson’s disease, a study in The Lancet has indicated.
Parkinson’s is a progressive disease of the nervous system that causes tremors, stiff muscles, and slow movements, which mostly affects middle-aged and elderly people.
Although there are ways of treating the symptoms, a way of slowing or stopping the disease from progressing hasn’t been found yet.
But this study, funded by the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, has indicated that a drug called Exenatide which is commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes appears to improve symptoms even after people stop taking the drug.
Parkinson’s disease affects around 12,000 people in Ireland, with that number expected to double in the next 20 years.
Parkinson’s is the second largest neurological condition in Ireland after Alzheimer’s.
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