High Blood Pressure Medication Could Help with Parkinson's

According to a report from BBC News, a clinical study on mice has raised hope for people suffering from Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's is a debilitating disease that causes tremors that increase with time. This can lead to the inability to walk, or even feed one's self.

The tests are still in the early stages, according to BBC News. They report that Parkinson's foundations are grateful for the news. BBC News quoted Kieran Breen as saying, "It is too early to state with confidence that this drug will be appropriate for the treatment for Parkinson's disease." Breen is the director of research and development at the Parkinson's Disease Society.

Northwestern University found that mice who had been treated with Isradipine did not become ill. The mice had been engineered to develop Parkinson's.
Dopamine neurons are cells that become damaged and start to die in patients suffering from Parkinson's. The mice showed signs that these cells appeared to regress and become more like their original form.

Isradipine has been used to treat high blood pressure, help with strokes and angina. It affects the calcium ions entering the dopamine neurons. Researchers believe that the blocking of this action can prevent the development of Parkinson's.

"Our hope is that this drug will protect dopamine neurons, so that if you begin taking it early enough, you won't get Parkinson's disease, even if you were at risk," said Professor James Surmeier, according to BBC News.

Parkinson's is a disease that is was documented in 1817 by James Parkinson. It was found that the disease can vary for each individual. It has been known to be responsible for mood swings, slow speech, and other behavioral problems.

The muscles become tightened, or rigid. Hence the early name paralysis agitans.

Dopamines in the brain acts like a neurotransmitter, sending signals as needed. It can trigger pleasure. It is thought that when dopa-mines are released in the brain, an individual can also be motivated into doing certain things. Like a "reward system" affect.

Some studies reveal that low levels of dopa-mines can even result in depression. However, treatment with neurotransmitting dopa-mines can take time for results to become visible.

The research on dopa-mines affecting Parkinson's is still new and warrants continuing efforts.

BBC News reported that 120,000 people living in the UK have Parkinson's Disease. Maybe now they have some hope.

Source: BBC News: Drug Offers Hope For Parkinson's, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6740109.stm