London, England – A recent study suggests that a diabetes drug called lixisenatide may be able to slow down the progression of Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting more than 10 million people worldwide, leading to movement, balance, and memory issues over time. While treatments can help manage symptoms, there is currently no cure available.
In the realm of medical research, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, specifically a diabetes medication known as exenatide, have shown promise in slowing down motor symptoms in individuals with Parkinson’s. The latest findings indicate that lixisenatide, another type 2 diabetes medication, also exhibits similar effects, potentially linking Parkinson’s to insulin resistance in the brain.
Lead researcher Prof Wassilios Meissner from the University Hospital of Bordeaux described the results as exciting, highlighting the unprecedented signal observed in the study. Despite the popularity of GLP-1R agonists in managing type 2 diabetes, drugs like semaglutide and liraglutide are less likely to penetrate the brain compared to exenatide and lixisenatide, making them less suitable for Parkinson’s treatment.
The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, involved 156 recently diagnosed Parkinson’s patients split into two groups. While both groups continued their standard Parkinson’s medications, one group received daily lixisenatide injections, while the other received a placebo. Over 12 months, the group on lixisenatide showed minimal progression of motor symptoms compared to the placebo group, suggesting potential brain protection against neuron loss.
Despite these promising results, some participants experienced side effects such as nausea and vomiting while on lixisenatide. Further research is necessary to determine the drug’s long-term effects, optimal dosage, and potential benefits for different stages of Parkinson’s. The findings have paved the way for larger phase 3 clinical trials, marking a significant step forward in the pursuit of new treatments for Parkinson’s disease.