(9news)
An experimental pill that is showing promising results in dementia patients is now being tested on people with Parkinson's.
Parkinson's disease can lead to tremor and movement issues due to the lack of dopamine in the brain caused by a gradual loss of nerve cells.
But a lesser known complication is dementia which can affect up to 80 percent of cases and often isn't formally diagnosed.
"It can be quite subtle the changes that can occur where people then start to have difficulty with thinking and memory and that is when it can be diagnosed as a Parkinson's related dementia," said Associate Professor Kathryn Goozee, KaraMINDS and Head of Clinical Research, Anglicare.
Two trial centres in Melbourne and Sydney are now testing a pill called Anavex on patients with Parkinson's disease.
Anavex 2-73 has already shown promising results in Alzheimer's patients and trials are ongoing.
The compound activates a protein called the Sigma-1 receptor.
Aged care providers, Hammondcare and Anglicare, are involved in the Alzheimer's trial and are now testing the drug to see whether cognition, motor function and sleep quality can be improved in people with Parkinson's.
"While the study is still in the early phases, it is exciting as it offers the potential to treat the underlying disease and improve quality of life," said Associate Professor Goozee.
More than 100,000 Australians are living with Parkinson's disease and on average, 37 new cases are diagnosed every day.
David Veness, 71, was diagnosed nearly 11 years ago and takes medication to control his symptoms.
"I'm unusual, I haven't had the tremor until recent times but slowly as it progresses I've found movement a little more difficult" he said.
That includes walking more slowly and experiencing freezing episodes.
"We could be walking across a pedestrian crossing and our gait freezes," he said.
Mr Veness is a firm advocate of trials that aim to improve the quality of life of those affected.
"Anything like this that might help me in the future, I'd be grateful for," he said.
© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2019
https://www.9news.com.au/national/parkinsons-disease-treated-with-experimental-pill-anavex-273/87e40844-fee7-4edb-9048-474753886c11
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