And it is reassuring to see that during August there have been a whole series of research news items that give hope that in time there will be a breakthrough.
Below is a summary of the news items with links for further reading.
4th August – We’re investing a further £1 million to drive forward drugs that target energy-producing mitochondria to slow the loss of brain cells in Parkinson’s.
As part of our Virtual Biotech, we’ve partnered with NRG Therapeutics Ltd to create drugs that can enter the brain and rescue mitochondria – the batteries that power brain cells.
7th August – Major pharmaceutical company Biogen is investing $1billion to take LRRK2 inhibitors into large scale clinical trials in 2021.
Biogen, has partnered with biotech, Denali Therapeutics, to accelerate the development of promising drugs for Parkinson’s. The drugs target the LRRK2 gene, with clinical trials planned to start in 2021.
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/news/biogen-step-take-forward-promising-gene-based-drugs-parkinsons
11th August – Link found between diabetes and increased Parkinson’s risk.
An international team of researchers have uncovered a biological link that may account for why those with diabetes have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s.
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/news/link-found-between-diabetes-and-increased-parkinsons-risk
14th August – Research shows bad dreams could predict future memory and thinking problems
Researchers in Portugal have discovered that the content of dreams, particularly those with negative emotions, may predict long-term cognitive decline in people with Parkinson’s.
20th August – New research uncovers structures of Parkinson’s-related protein
Scientists at the University Bath have improved our understanding of the potentially toxic structures that the protein, alpha-synuclein, can form.
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/news/new-research-uncovers-structures-parkinsons-related-protein
21st August – Precious brain tissue uncovers new insights about the causes of Parkinson’s
Tissue from the Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank has provided vital clues to why brain cells are lost in Parkinson’s
Read more about the science of Parkinson’s
Researchers are uncovering new findings everyday.
The Parkinson’s UK research blog keeps you up to date with the latest developments and helps you understand what these findings actually mean for those living with Parkinson’s.