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| Dr Kim Tieu |
A BREAKTHROUGH in the study of Parkinson’s disease, led by Plymouth experts, could become the first treatment to cure the condition.
A Plymouth team has made the discovery, dubbed “wonderful” by patients, after five years of research, and will continue the study in the hope of creating a drug ready for clinical trials.
Local Parkinson’s patients, who struggle daily with restricted movement, stiffness and depression, are “delighted” with the news that there could be a treatment which would not only mask their symptoms, but reverse the effects of the disease.
The leading charity Parkinson’s UK said it was “excited and encouraged” by the discovery, which signals the “next generation of treatments”.
Parkinson’s disease is caused by the death of brain cells which produce the chemical dopamine – which is involved in controlling our motor functions and is also known as the ‘happy’ hormone.
The study, led by Dr Kim Tieu, shows blocking a certain protein reduced cell death, and could hold the key as a potential cure.
Dr. Kim Tieu from the Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, said the team is “extremely excited” about the research, which was studied in mice.
He said: “We’re extremely excited about this because to my knowledge this is the first study of this nature in animal models. It has taken four or five years and is exciting to see the significance of this treatment in animal models. It’s also exciting for the funders to see that the project they support is making progress.
“We would like to test these further and if that shows promising results, we would move up to an animal model that is more closely related to humans before clinical trials.
“In terms of time until a treatment is available, it’s difficult to say. There are so many variables that can change the course of this research – things like technology and funding.
“Our next phase of study will be completed in the next four years and after that we will take it to another model in non-human primates, which will take a few more years, and then clinical trials. Things can change dramatically. It might be a bit longer or a bit shorter.
“It’s worth noting that other researchers are also targeting this mitochondrial fission pathway as potential treatments for other neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Dr Tieu added: “For all of us who work in Parkinson’s disease we would like to see our work result in some kind of effective treatment – we all have a common passion for the patients.”
Charity Parkinson’s UK, which funds research and help for patients, is thrilled at this “promising step”.
Claire Bale, research communications manager, said: “Current treatments only mask the symptoms rather than stopping the progression of Parkinson’s – this is the next generation of treatments.
“We've known for decades that problems with mitochondria - the batteries of the cell - play a key role in the death of nerve cells in Parkinson's, but the research in this area hasn't yet led to new treatments.
“This study, which reveals a potential new drug target to protect mitochondria, is a promising step towards slowing down or stopping the progression of Parkinson's. If it becomes an effective treatment, it would be a phenomenal advance. This study is very, very encouraging.
“There is also research into stem cells and vaccines and we don’t know what is going to reach the patients first, however stem cell treatments involve brain surgery which is highly invasive – this is exciting because there could be a simpler drug to give to patients.”
WHAT DO PARKINSON'S DISEASE SUFFERERS SAY?
FOR Parkinson’s patients, treatment is currently a trial-and-error approach of trying different drugs to find out what works for them. But none last forever, and many only mask the symptoms and eventually become ineffective.
Patients at the Parkinson’s UK exercise group, in Plymstock, were excited to hear about the advances local scientists have made. Research has shown gentle exercise can greatly help the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, but as yet there is no treatment which can reverse or cure the disease.
Karen Rose, 52, from Callington, was told she had Parkinson’s Disease 18 years ago, aged just 34.
She said: “Something like this would be absolutely wonderful. I have got to the stage where I’m taking so many tablets that they’re running out of ideas, so the next stage is a bit more invasive. The best thing would be if you could reverse the symptoms through a drug.”
The alternative is deep brain stimulation, where a brain pacemaker sends electrical impulses into the brain through electrodes. However it involves invasive surgery and isn’t suitable for some patients.
Karen is eager for a treatment which has a real impact on her symptoms. She said: “I will just suddenly freeze – I’ll be making tea and then will have to stop because I can’t move.
“You just have to slow down but I’m very determined to keep going. I run the onset group for Plymouth and a lot of the members there will be thrilled to hear this news.”
Mary Johnson, 79, from Elburton was diagnosed 10 years ago and volunteers her time to help train the doctors of the future.
She said: “If this research turned into a treatment it would be lovely. They can’t do the brain stimulation operation on me because I have diabetes. I take my tablets but what is really helping is these exercise classes. I couldn’t sit or stand on my own before – it’s marvellous. But a treatment to reverse the progression of the disease would be better, especially for younger people.
“I’m really aware of how important research is and how it helps – I go up to help trainee doctors every year in their exams. They examine me and have to work out what I have – anything to help.”
Mike Webber, 67, from Plymstock was diagnosed six years ago, in 2008, and like many patients he is willing to try anything. He said: “The biggest changes were having to give up work. The main affects are slowness and stiffness - if you’re doing something it takes twice as long – I would try anything to help.
“Even doing simple things, you’re ok for half an hour and then you’re shattered for the rest of the day. A treatment to reverse the disease would be fantastic.”
For help or information, and details about local groups, contact Parkinson's UK on 0808 800 0303 or visit www.parkinsons.org.uk
The father of The Herald's health reporter Sian Davies was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 12 years ago. Here she reacts to the news.
IT’S not often you get to report on groundbreaking research which could potentially provide a cure to a life-changing and debilitating illness - especially when that illness is one your dad was diagnosed with more than a decade ago.
At the age of 15 when I got told that dad had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I didn’t really know what it would mean. He was in his 50s and relatively young, and it develops so gradually that it’s hard to notice when you see someone every day. Twelve years on the change is definitely noticeable.
The main difference has been his lack of mobility – dad has ran a marathon, and got a medal for 25 years’ service with our local Search and Rescue team. Now he struggles to walk 100 metres.
What makes Parkinson’s all the more frustrating is when drugs become ineffective, and the search starts again to give sufferers some quality of life. The stiffness and lack of mobility becomes worse as drugs wear off, leaving patients unable to move until their next lot kick in. Dad can be in the garden cutting the grass, and within minutes he struggles to move.
When I spoke to dad about this research, he said if there was something that could reverse the symptoms he would “grab it with both hands”.
He has already been deemed not suitable for deep brain stimulation, and his latest treatment is working well but is likely to become ineffective in a few years.
Parkinson’s is slow to progress but can’t be stopped. However researchers like Dr Tieu are giving patients hope. Parkinson’s UK say that patients have much to be optimistic about, and this news shows that research is vital. These advancements could go on to help sufferers of Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s. If there’s anything the rest of us can do is raise money to fund this research, with the hope that it leads to a cure.
Read more: http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Plymouth-breakthrough-study-Parkinson-s-disease/story-24181860-detail/story.html#ixzz3IIOtmsMN
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