CASE STUDY 3

My Tom knew there was cure

the participants of the study, which started in 2012 and ended in 2017, were randomly assigned to get monthly infusions of GDNF and the others placebos.

All were then offered a nine-month course of GDNF. Brain scans showed signs of improvement, according to findings published in journal Brain and the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease.

Principal investigator Dr Alan Whone said: “This represents some of the most compelling evidence yet that we may have a means to reawaken and restore the dopamine brain cells that are gradually destroyed in Parkinson’s.”

Another trial is being planned and Prof Gill believes the technology could also be used to administer chemo to brain tumour patients or test drugs for Alzheimer’s and stroke patients. He said: “Now we’re looking at moving on with trials and increasing the dosage.

“Hopefully, this will be a definitive study to bring this therapy to people. We’re feeling very positive about this.” ■ BBC2 documentary The Parkinson’s Drug Trial: A Miracle Cure? screens at 9pm tomorrow. BRAVE FIGHTER Tom Isaacs with Lyndsey A FEW years ago, Tom Isaacs could barely walk and he would have violent shaking episodes every day.

But halfway through the trial, Tom was no longer shaking, he could walk and, remarkably, he managed to run for the first time in 17 years without any medication.

His widow, Lyndsey, 55, from Herts, said: “Tom knew there would be a cure.

“When Tom started having more GDNF in 2015, he was definitely much better. And what was amazing was even when he stopped having it, his Parkinson’s didn’t really progress. It stayed at the same level.”

Tom set up the Cure Parkinson’s Trust to fund more research into GDNF.

Lyndsey said: “It is an amazing legacy. Tom didn’t accept Parkinson’s would stop him from doing anything. I wish he was here today to see what he has achieved.”