Diabetes medication may hold potential to slow down progression of Parkinson’s disease, say scientists

Researchers have discovered that a diabetes drug may hold the potential to slow down the progression of Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide.

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that a drug called lixisenatide, commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, could offer a significant breakthrough in managing the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the gradual loss of nerve cells in the brain, leading to difficulties with movement, balance, and memory. While there are available treatments to help alleviate symptoms, there is currently no cure for the condition.

The study involved 156 individuals recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, who were divided into two equal-sized groups. While both groups continued their usual Parkinson’s medication, one group received a daily injection of lixisenatide, while the other received a placebo. Over the course of 12 months, participants underwent regular assessments of their motor symptoms and were scored on a disease-severity scale.

The results showed that those receiving lixisenatide experienced virtually no progression of motor problems, in contrast to the placebo group, which exhibited worsening symptoms. The difference in symptom progression was deemed clinically meaningful, offering hope for the potential benefits of lixisenatide in treating Parkinson’s disease.