Diabetes medication shows promise against Parkinson's disease

A drug used to treat diabetes slowed the progression of motor issues associated with Parkinson's disease, a study published in The New England Journal Of Medicine said on April 3.

- 

Parkinson's is a devastating nervous system disorder affecting 10 million people worldwide, with no current cure. Symptoms include rhythmic shaking known as tremors, slowed movement, impaired speech and problems balancing, which get worse over time.

Researchers have been interested in exploring a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists which mimic a gut hormone and are commonly used to treat diabetes and obesity - for their potential to protect neurons.

So far, however, evidence of clinical benefits in patients has been limited and early studies have proved inconclusive.

In the new paper, 156 patients with early-stage Parkinson's were recruited across France and then randomly chosen to receive either lixisenatide, which is sold under the brand names Adlyxin and Lyxumia and made by Sanofi, or a placebo.