Posted 2/24/2016 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone.
Nilotinib info from the University of Georgetown’s Laboratory of Dementia and Parkinsonism:
Alan Hoffman, a professor emeritus of social science education at Georgia State University, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1997. He says he participated in several clinical trials with no benefit until he enrolled in Pagan’s study.
“Before the nilotinib, I did almost nothing around the house,” he says. “Now, I empty the garbage, unload the dishwasher, load the washer and the dryer, set the table, even take responsibility for grilling.”
In the three weeks prior to enrolling in the study, Hoffman says he fell eight times, but he only fell once during six months on the study. His speech has improved, as has his thinking.
“My wife says it’s life-changing for her and for my children and grandchildren,” Hoffman says. “To say that nilotinib has made a change in our lives is a huge understatement.”
Hoffman and other patients in the clinical trial can continue taking nilotinib as part of an expanded access study.
Study participants with earlier stage disease responded best, as did those diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, often described as a combination of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases
For the therapy to be as successful as possible in patients, the agent would need to be used early on in neurodegenerative diseases, Moussa hypothesizes.
Moussa is planning a phase II clinical trial in participants who have been diagnosed with disorders that feature buildup of the protein alpha Synuclein. These disorders include Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and multiple system atrophy (MSA).
https://gumc.georgetown.edu/news/Cancer-Drug-Improved-Cognition-and-Motor-Skills-in-Small-Parkinsons-Clinical-Trial
https://gumc.georgetown.edu/news/Researchers-Report-First-Therapy-Appearing-to-Reverse-Decline-in-Parkinsons