Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed an innovative anti-inflammatory drug that may significantly enhance treatment options for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. The new oral medication has demonstrated the ability to block inflammation in the brain, thereby improving motor functions in preclinical tests conducted on mouse models.
Lead author Dr. Eduardo Albornoz Balmaceda from the university’s School of Biomedical Sciences explained that inflammation acts like a persistent fire in the brain, gradually harming the neurons responsible for producing dopamine, the essential chemical that regulates movement. “Our study showed this drug, which targets part of the immune system called ‘inflammasomes,’ reduced brain inflammation and prevented the disease from killing more neurons, therefore stopping its progression,” Dr. Albornoz Balmaceda stated.
Breakthrough Imaging Techniques
The research team employed advanced imaging techniques, including simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), at the university’s Centre for Advanced Imaging. This allowed them to observe the drug’s effects in real time. “What’s most exciting is we could actually see these changes happening in the living brain,” Dr. Albornoz Balmaceda remarked, emphasizing the significance of this imaging approach in tracking disease progression.
Senior author Professor Trent Woodruff, who leads UQ’s Neuroinflammation Lab, highlighted the importance of these findings. “Parkinson’s is one of the fastest growing neurodegenerative diseases, expected to impact more than 25 million people globally by 2050,” he noted. Current treatments primarily address symptoms rather than halting the disease’s progression. This new class of drugs aims to change that dynamic.
The study revealed that brain scans indicated the typical loss of dopamine-producing neurons associated with Parkinson’s disease, while the signals showed improvement following treatment with the new drug.
Commercial Development and Support
The drug was developed by Inflazome, a biopharmaceutical company founded by Professor Luke O’Neill and co-corresponding author Professor Matt Cooper, which emerged from a collaboration between the University of Queensland and Trinity College Dublin. Established in 2016 through UQ’s commercialisation company UniQuest, Inflazome was later acquired by Roche, a major player in the pharmaceutical industry.
Research funding was provided by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Inflazome, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and the Shake It Up Australia Foundation. The findings of this groundbreaking research have been published in the scientific journal Brain.
The potential for this new drug signifies a significant advancement in the quest for effective treatments for Parkinson’s disease, a condition that continues to challenge patients and healthcare providers alike. As researchers move closer to human clinical trials, the hope is that this approach can not only alleviate symptoms but also modify the disease’s trajectory, offering a better quality of life for millions affected globally.
