Cancer drug could help Parkinson’s, Demential patients: study

A Novartis drug used in the treatment of leukemia might also work for patients with Parkinson's disease, a small and early clinical test has shown.

In an early stage trial conducted by the Georgetown University Medical Center, a small dose of the medicine, Tasigna, produced ''meaningful clinical improvements'' in 10 out of 11 patients, university said in a statement on Saturday.

Unlike standard clinical tests, this one did not include a control group for comparison.

The findings appeared significant as the participants in the study saw production of the brain chemical dopamine increase so much researchers they had to be asked to reduce or stop taking other drugs.

Parkinson's, a degenerative condition causes motor impairment, and dysfunctions in the dopamine system. The conditions affect an estimated 10 million people worldwide.

According to Alan Hoffmann, a retired social science professor diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1997 participated in the trial, said he was able to ''empty the garbage, unload the dishwasher, load the washer and the dryer, set the table, even take responsibility for grilling'' after taking the Novartis drug, themarketbusiness.com reported.

Earlier he did almost nothing around the house.

The study marks the first time a therapy appears to reverse the ''cognitive and motor decline in patients with these neuro-degenerative disorders,'' Fernando Pagan, a neurology professor who helped oversee the trial at Georgetown University Hospital, said in a statement. ''But it is critical to conduct larger and more comprehensive studies before determining the drug's true impact.''

According to Fernando Pagan, an author of the study and director of the Movement Disorders Program at Georgetown University Medical Center, for several patients the improvements were dramatic. One woman regained the ability to feed herself, while one man who had to use a walker could walk without it, and three previously non-verbal patients began speaking again, Pagan said.

"After 25 years in Parkinson's disease research, this is the most excited I've ever been," Pagan said, npr.org reported.

While hereditary gene mutations have long been known to play a role in familial Parkinson's disease, researchers have now identified a new immune regulating gene tied to the disease. (See: New gene research gives fresh hope for Parkinson's).