Diabetes drug may slow progression of Parkinson’s disease

Tremors are reduced in ‘significant step’

A DRUG to tackle diabetes may also be able to slow the decline caused by Parkinson’s and could mean a “significant step forward” for patients.

The advance of symptoms like tremors and slowness of movement was reduced in those who took lixisenatide, research has found.

However, it also found 46% suffered from nausea and 13% had vomiting.

French professors Wassilios Meissner and Olivier Rascol, who led the study, said: “For 30 years, we have been trying to understand how to slow the decline associated with Parkinson’s disease.

“So the positive results of the trial showing less progression of motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease over a year constitute a significant step forward in the management of the disease.

“We look forward to confirming these encouraging results to translate into clinical practice.”

The drug belongs to a group of medicines that work by mimicking the action of a natural gut hormone produced after eating food. The hormone stimulates insulin release from the pancreas, which helps cells in the body to absorb glucose that is eventually turned into energy.

There is a known link between Parkinson’s and type 2 diabetes, with research suggesting people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s. Those with Parkinson’s who are type 2 diabetic often suffer a more rapid progression of their symptoms, research has suggested.

It has also been reported people with diabetes who are treated with the medicines – lixisenatide is licensed for diabetes in the UK – have a reduced risk of developing Parkinson’s. Dr Richard Wyse, director of clinical development at Cure Parkinson’s, said: “I am thrilled to see the extremely positive, groundbreaking clinical outcome of the lixisenatide trial, which could have real meaning for people living with Parkinson’s.”

Masud Husain, professor of neurology, at the University of Oxford, said: “The results of this trial are really encouraging.”