A drug used for treating certain liver diseases could also be the remedy to slow down Parkinson's disease, a new study shows.
The team of experts from the University of Sheffield and University of York can tell that the liver disease drug Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) may provide a certain form of relief to individuals afflicted by Parkinson's.
"We demonstrated the beneficial effects of UDCA in the tissue of LRRK2 carriers with Parkinson's disease as well as currently asymptomatic LRRK2 carriers. In both cases, UDCA improved mitochondrial function as demonstrated by the increase in oxygen consumption and cellular energy levels," Dr. Heather Mortiboys, one of the study's authors, said.
Furthermore, the researchers discovered that Parkinson's patients have an increased energy level of ursodeoxycholic acid. Nevertheless, they have not yet discovered the exact cause of Parkinson's although the mutation of the LRRK2 gene could be the secret behind. In fact, the research looked into the LRRK2 mutation among patients.
Dr. Oliver Bandmann, a professor of movement disorders neurology at the University of Sheffield, praised the findings because it could mean hope for sufferers of Parkinson's. Since the drug is already being used for decades it would no longer be difficult to get the approval to use the same drug for Parkinson's, although it would still need clinical trial before it becomes a prescribed medication for the said condition.
Bandmann further underscores that using the drug could mean saving time and more lives since its potency in treating other conditions have already been proven.
The study was published in the journal Neurology.
