The National Institutes of Health currently prepares main studies of substances that bring the hope for patients suffering from Parkinson’s. The substances are to slow the progression of the disease, not only treat its symptoms.
The agency is completing plans to enroll hundreds of patients with early stage of Parkinson’s disease in a study of extremely high doses of coenzyme Q-10, or CoQ10, a popular dietary supplement.
Some experts have a theory that CoQ10, a compound made in the human body, may help save the nerve cells that vanish in patients with Parkinson’s.
Minocycline, an antibiotic available only by prescription, that combats inflammation, and creatine, the dietary supplement would be considered in later studies. Preliminary study released yesterday suggests that minocycline and creatine might be useful at slowing Parkinson’s, a disease that little by little wrecks brain cells associated to muscle movement, resulting in serious tremors.
It is thought that Parkinson’s patients have reduced levels of CoQ10. According to a one small study, patients taking extremely high doses had less impairment over a year than patients who were given low doses or a dummy pill.
Some patients suffering from Parkinson’s already use CoQ10, but the doses that experts want to test are "drug-like, much higher than over-the-counter doses," stated leader of NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Dr. Story Landis.
A clinical trial on higher doses of CoQ10 is to begin soon; Landis’ agency is waiting on Food and Drug Administration acceptance to start.
