| Posted: November 24, 2014
 |
| Kay Cotton with her dog this summer |
Kay Cotton, a West Briton columnist from
Camborne, will be taking part in a trial to test whether a
drug called GDNF can slow the course of the disease.
The clinical trial was first tested on 18
people to determine its safety, but will now be used on half of a further 36
people, including Mrs Cotton, who is not fazed by the prospect.
“This trial has given me some hope and I feel
as though I have nothing to lose.
“It would be great to feel normal again and I
can’t just sit here waiting, I have to do something about it.”
Ms Cotton, 57, has suffered from Parkinson’s
for 10 years and has said she has been overwhelmed by the support
of her friends and
family.
of her friends and
family.
It is hoped that an implant that delivers GDNF
into the brain can stop dopamine-producing nerve cells from dying, a major
symptom with Parkinson’s Disease.
“I’m not nervous as I live on my own and am
younger than many of my friends who have the disease.
“I’m probably one of the more eligible people
as at this point, I’m not too affected and it’s my responsibility to do
something about it.
“I started to feel as if I had no purpose but
this trial has given me a real boost and is a glimmer of hope for me.”
The project was originally shut down in 2006
after controversy regarding stem cells, but the revived £2million scheme has
been funded by Parkinson's UK, with support from the Cure Parkinson's Trust and
in association with the North Bristol NHS Trust.
During the nine month trial, half of the people
taking part will take the real drug (GDNF), while half will receive an inactive
placebo.
Not even doctors will be aware of who has been
injected with what, but once the nine month period is complete, all of the
participants would switch to the GDNF if it proves successful.
Ms Cotton will be travelling to Bristol on
December 5 to meet with medical professionals to discuss the next phase of
treatment.
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