loader image
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
93.2 F
McAllen
- Advertisement -

Nasal Drugs Show Promise for Slowing Parkinson’s Disease Progression in Lab Study

'A remarkable advance' if results can be replicated, Rush researcher says

Translate to Spanish or other 102 languages!

Potential new treatments for Parkinson’s disease developed by researchers at Rush University Medical Center have shown success in slowing progression of the disease in mice.

Mega Doctor News

- Advertisement -

By Rush University Medical Center 

Newswise — Potential new treatments for Parkinson’s disease developed by researchers at Rush University Medical Center have shown success in slowing progression of the disease in mice.

In a study published in Nature Communications, Rush researchers found that two different peptides (chains of amino acids) helped slow the spread of alpha-synuclein, a protein that occurs in abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the brain. Lewy bodies are hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease, the most common movement disorder affecting about 1.2 million people in the United States and Canada.

- Advertisement -

“Currently, there are no treatments that slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease — they only treat the symptoms,” says Kalipada Pahan, PhD, the Floyd A. Davis Professor of Neurology at Rush University Medical Center, and a research career scientist at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, who led the study.

Lewy bodies are also associated with the development of Lewy body dementia and a rare neurological disorder called multiple system atrophy (MSA). “At present, there is also no effective treatment for dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy,” Pahan says. “Understanding how these diseases work is important to developing effective drugs that inhibit alpha-synuclein pathology, protect the brain, and stop the progression of Lewy body diseases.”

The lab-developed peptides tested in the study are known as TLR2-interacting domain of Myd88 (TIDM) and NEMO-binding domain (NBD). The drugs, which were delivered through the nose, were found to slow inflammation in the brain and stop the spread of alpha-synuclein in mice with Parkinson’s disease. The treatments also improved the mice’s gait, balance, and other motor functions. “If these results can be replicated in patients, it would be a remarkable advance in the treatment of devastating neurological disorders,” Pahan says.

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

More Articles

STHS Children’s Receives $14,150 Donation from Dutch Bros

Mega Doctor News Planned or unplanned, a hospital stay can be nerve-wracking for...

STC & Region One ESC Open More Doors to High School Completion

Homeschooled for most of her life, Edcouch-Elsa senior Ana Trevino put her education on hold two years ago to care for her parents as they battled cancer and to step in as a second mother to her six younger siblings.

Harlingen’s Linda Burke, D.D.S. appointed to State Board of Dental Examiners

Linda Burke, D.D.S. of Harlingen is a pediatric dentist and owner of Burke Children’s Dentistry and president of Platinum Surgery Center.

Unidos Contra la Diabetes to Host 2026 Mini-Symposium and Annual Dia-Beat-IT Health Fair, Nov. 5th

Unidos Contra la Diabetes (UCD) has announced that its 2026 Mini-Symposium and Annual Dia-Beat-IT Health Fair is less than a month away. Moises Arjona Jr., MS, CHWI, Collective Impact Director for UCD, reminded community partners and stakeholders of the upcoming event, encouraging participation and support.
- Advertisement -
×