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For many living with Parkinson’s disease, the daily ritual of taking multiple pills per day can be as daunting task. But a new breakthrough from researchers at the University of South Australia could ease this burden – and potentially change the way Parkinson’s is treated forever.
After more than two years of research, scientists have developed a long-lasting weekly injection, offering hope to patients who currently face the exhausting task of taking several pills multiple times a day.
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, the disease affects more than 10 million people globally, with men 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed than women. It is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s.
For those living with Parkinson’s, the standard treatment involves daily doses of medications that must be taken precisely on schedule.
“Especially concerning elderly patients, they have to remember each medication timely, and take the medication,” said University of South Australia researcher Deepa Nakmode.
“Even if they miss a single dose, they can’t perform day-to-day activities normally”.
And missing doses is alarmingly common.
“Almost 50 per cent of patients don’t take medicines as recommended by doctors, especially in chronic conditions,” said Sanjay Garg, a pharmaceutical science professor at the University of South Australia.
‘It’s going to be a game-changer’
The new injection combines two key drugs (Levodopa and Carbidopa) into one injectable dose that slowly releases the medication over the course of seven days.
“One injection will be good for one week as compared to a patient taking three or four tablets every day,” Garg said.
These drugs are primarily used to manage Parkinson’s symptoms, which commonly include tremour, muscle rigidity, and slowness of movement. Patients can also experience problems with balance, which can raise the risk of falls.
Although the new injection has not yet undergone clinical trials in humans, researchers plan to start animal testing in the coming months.
For people like Peter Willis, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 10 years ago and currently takes medication four times per day, the breakthrough could be life-changing.
“If you don’t take the tablet on time, you discover you can’t walk,” he said. “You sort of lose your energy as if you run out of fuel. You take the tablet again and then it picks up.”
Parkinson’s Australia has hailed the development as a major breakthrough, especially given the slow pace of progress in treatment innovation in recent years.
“It will reduce falls risks, it will mean that people can actively participate in everyday life like work and sport and volunteering,” said Parkinson’s Australia CEO Olivia Nassaris.
“It’s going to be a game-changer,” she added.
