New hope for PD

[Finoni]

Has anyone read about a new study that found a leukemia drug, nilotinib, looks very promising for Parkinson's and related diseases. It was a small study, but 10 out of 12 patients had quite dramatic reversal of symptoms. I'm sorry, I can't get a link to copy here, but I am sure if you google it you can find the article. PSP is not mentioned specifically, but they have hope that it would help all neurodegenerative diseases. Some of the examples given are of people very far gone, able to do things they hadn't done in years. Fingers crossed!

I read about it on a CNN and an NBC news site.

It is super expensive, but J is ready to try it if he can get hold of it. Why not?!

[Lieve]

Hi Finoni - yes, I saw that article on NPR, here is the link npr.org/sections/health-sho... (if the link doesn't work, just copy and paste into your browser). They also mentioned they will look into testing it on patients with Alzheimers - so why not PSP and other neurological degenerative diseases.. And yes, it's a superexpensive drug that even people with cancer, for whom it's intended, can't afford.. BUT it's a step towards finding a cure. I sent this information to my dad's neurologist and she probably thinks I spend too much time on the internet. At the same time, I sent her the PSPA guide for primary caretakers and she was very grateful since here in Belgium, we don't have a PSP chapter.

[Heady in reply to Lieve]

If it helps Alzheimer's, then the price will come down dramatically!

One day! One day!!!

Lots of love

Heady

[abirke in reply to Heady]

Indeed

[Ewansmommy]

My husband was telling me about that. Sounded promising!!

[easterncedar]

I just looked at the news on that. Thanks! It's exciting, but a long way from final conclusions. Great to have hope, though. Imagine how the test subjects who were able to move again felt !

[abirke]

I read it. It's a small study and they will continue to search the what and why of this drgug. I hope they find that it will help all neurological disorder. 'But we have to remember that Parkinsons responds to many things while PSP responds to none....just call me 'miss hope'

AVB

[Hidden]

Looks like it may target tau

eurekalert.org/pub_releases...

[Finoni]

It may be grasping at straws. But let's hope they include PSP patients in new studies of the drug.