Parkinson’s Disease: Novel Science And Collaborations Fuel Progress

22 Nov 2019

• By John Davis

Novel therapeutic strategies for Parkinson’s disease have brought a renewed sense of optimism to those researching this neurodegenerative disorder. Numerous treatment avenues are being explored, including small molecules, gene therapy, cell therapy and medical devices to stimulate nerves deep in the brain. Digital also gets a look-in, being useful for analyzing gait and other symptoms, and addressing both mental and physical issues.

Degeneration of dopaminergic neuron, a key stage of development of Parkinson's disease, 3D illustration - Illustration — • Source: Shutterstock

The development of therapies for Parkinson’s disease should have been a triumph long ago for medical science. Degeneration of dopaminergic nerves in the central nervous system (CNS) was identified as a key process in the condition; drugs, such as levodopa, that alleviate symptoms were identified back in the 1960s; and high-profile charities were set up to support patients and impel research into new therapeutic discoveries.

It comes as some surprise, therefore, that in past decades attempts to develop new therapies were more or less frustrating...