Thursday, February 15, 2024

Cancer drug by-product may be untapped Parkinson's treatment

A new study has found that a compound created by the body’s breakdown of the cancer drug Rucaparib reduces the buildup of a toxic protein in the brain associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Researchers treated PD dopamine neurons with M324 – a metabolite created by Rucaparib – and found that it reduced the accumulation of ⍺-synuclein, which causes neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration and cell death.

Researchers say their findings could have significant clinical impact for Parkinson’s. The study showed that M324 is pharmacologically active and has the potential to be repurposed, representing a new way to treat PD. Rucaparib is a drug used to treat recurrent ovarian, breast and, more recently, prostate cancers. Click here to learn more.

High-fiber diet could delay onset of Huntington’s disease symptoms

In a groundbreaking study, Florey researchers have shown for the first time that high-fiber intake has a positive effect on Huntington’s disease. Anthony Hannan, who leads Florey’s Epigenetics and Neural Plasticity Group in Victoria, Australia, said the results of a study published in Brain Behavior and Immunity indicate that dietary fiber could delay the onset of Huntington’s symptoms. Click here to learn more.

An unusual case of restless leg syndrome following oral metoclopramide therapy

Drugs interfering with the dopaminergic system can influence the development and severity of restless leg syndrome (RLS). The occurrence or exacerbation of RLS has been described as a side effect of intravenous (IV) metoclopramide. Long-term use of the drug also may lead to tardive dyskinesia and Parkinsonism, while dystonia and akathisia can develop even after a single dose.

Metoclopramide is a dopaminergic antagonist that acts on the D2-subtype dopamine receptor. It was approved by the FDA for the management of nausea and vomiting in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease or diabetic gastroparesis. It is also used for chemotherapy-induced vomiting. Click here to learn more.

For people with Parkinson's, pickleball can be an ideal sport

Parkinson’s has been called a “snowflake disease” because of the way the disease affects people - no two are alike. What everyone affected by Parkinson’s shares in common, however, is the need for movement. Aerobic activity, strengthening exercises and stretching are generally recommended to slow the disease's progress.

Pickleball for Parkinson’s is a research study conducted by Oregon State University students involving Destination Rehab, a nonprofit that works with patients who have neurological diseases and impairments.

The aim of the study is to determine if playing pickleball is beneficial to people with Parkinson’s quality of life and multidirectional stepping. Click here to view the video and learn more.

New study to test treatment for Friedreich’s ataxia

Led by Assistant Professor Yuho Kim of the Department of Physical Therapy and Kinesiology, researchers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell are studying the potential ability of a small natural molecule called hinokitiol to correct mitochondrial dysfunction in the skeletal muscle of Friedreich’s ataxia.

The disease is caused by a deficiency of frataxin, a protein that is crucial for generating energy in the mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells. Click here to learn more.