Parkinson’s drug trial offers glimmer of hope for cell repair

Parkinson’s drug trial offers glimmer of hope for cell repair

1. According to scientists, clinical trials of experimental treatment for Parkinson’s disease could not substantially prove whether the treatment was able to halt or slow down the disease. The treatment is called Glial Cell Line Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF). GDNF is made by privately-held Canadian biotech firm MedGenesis Therapeutix.
2. Clinical trials are scientific studies conducted to find better ways to prevent, screen for, diagnose, or treat disease. Clinical trials study how safe and helpful tests and treatments are.
3. Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease. Parkinson’s disease affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. It causes tremors, muscle stiffness and movement and balance problems. Although some medicines can improve symptoms, there is no cure or treatment that can slow progression of the disease. The disease affects around 1% to 2% of people over age 65.