Breakthrough in the fight against Parkinson’s disease as scientists discover that Ozempic-like weight loss incentives slow the onset of crippling diseases
A simple diabetes shot, once a day, can help slow the progression of Parkinson’s symptoms.
In what was hailed as a ‘significant step forward’ in treating the disease, a study found that lixisenatide reduced the worsening of tremors and slowness of movement.
Known by the brand name Lyxumia, scientists believe it may have a protective effect on the brain, slowing the damage caused by the disease.
The study involved 156 people who had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
In what was hailed as a ‘significant step forward’ in treating the disease, a study found that lixisenatide reduced the worsening of tremors and slowness of movement. Known by the brand name Lyxumia (pictured), scientists believe it may have a protective effect on the brain, slowing the damage caused by the disease
Weight loss shots like Wegovy and Ozempic, both of which contain semaglutide, work by prompting the body to produce a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which is released naturally from the intestines after meals.
Half received daily injections of the registered diabetes drug and the other received a placebo in addition to their usual medication.
After 12 months, the progression of motor symptoms slowed in those receiving lixisenatide treatment and even showed slight signs of improvement, while those in the other group continued to progress.
Charities said the findings were ‘extremely positive’ and would give real hope to the 18,000 patients a year diagnosed in Britain.
Dr. Richard Wyse, director of clinical development at Cure Parkinson, said: ‘I am delighted to see the extremely positive, groundbreaking clinical outcome of the lixisenatide trial, which could have real meaning for people living with Parkinson’s.’
The drug belongs to a group of drugs called GLP-1R agonists, which includes Wegovy and Ozempic, which have received worldwide attention for their weight loss properties.
They work by mimicking the action of a natural gut hormone produced after eating food, which stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas, allowing cells in the body to absorb glucose which is ultimately converted into energy.
Traditionally it was a type 2 diabetes drug, but scientists have repurposed the drug based on known links between the conditions.
Previous research has shown that diabetics are about 40 percent more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, which is also more aggressive in these patients.
Meanwhile, it has been found that those taking diabetes medications have a reduced risk of developing the neurological condition.
Professors Wassilios Meissner and Olivier Rascol from Toulouse University Hospital, who led the trial, said they were confident these findings would translate into practical treatments.
They said: ‘For 30 years we have been trying to understand how to slow the decline associated with Parkinson’s disease over time.
‘In this context, the positive results of the Lixipark Phase 2 trial, showing less progression of motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease over one year, represent an important step forward in the future treatment of the disease.
‘We look forward to confirming these encouraging results in the future to translate such findings into clinical practice.’
The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, were consistent two months after treatment stopped.
As with weight loss medications, common side effects included nausea in almost half (46 percent) and vomiting in 13 percent of those taking the drug.
Knowing the symptoms of Parkinson’s can lead to earlier diagnoses and access to treatments that improve patients’ quality of life
Commenting on the findings, Masud Husain, professor of neurology at the University of Oxford, said: ‘The results of this study are really encouraging for people with Parkinson’s disease.
‘After a year, patients who used the drug were significantly better off in their movements than those who did not use the drug.
‘However, the findings do not provide conclusive evidence that the drug has a protective effect on the brain and effectively slows disease progression.’
Professor David Dexter, research director at Parkinson’s UK, said: ‘The most important part of these results is the small improvement seen in the clinical measure of motor symptoms in those given lixisenatide.
‘It is difficult to say from this twelve-month study whether the drug slows the progression of the condition.
‘A longer trial could demonstrate this and could be a logical next step.’