Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a promising new anti-inflammatory drug that could significantly accelerate the treatment options for Parkinson’s disease. The breakthrough, led by Dr. Eduardo Albornoz Balmaceda from the university’s School of Biomedical Sciences, has shown positive results in mouse models, indicating that this new-generation oral drug effectively blocks inflammation in the brain and enhances motor function.
Dr. Albornoz Balmaceda explained that inflammation in the brain acts like a slow-burning fire, causing gradual damage to the neurons responsible for dopamine production, the chemical essential for movement control. “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,” he stated.
Innovative Imaging Techniques Enhance Research
The research team utilized advanced imaging techniques, including simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), at the Centre for Advanced Imaging 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 noted. This innovative approach allows researchers to track target engagement and disease progression, which is crucial for designing future clinical trials in humans.
Senior author Professor Trent Woodruff, who leads UQ’s Neuroinflammation Lab, emphasized the significance of these findings in the quest for disease-modifying therapies. “Parkinson’s is one of the fastest growing neurodegenerative diseases, and it is expected to impact more than 25 million people by 2050,” he remarked. Current treatments primarily focus on alleviating symptoms without significantly slowing the disease’s progression. The new class of drugs aims to address this gap, and the combination with cutting-edge PET/MRI biomarkers will help ascertain its effectiveness in protecting the brain.
The study also revealed typical patterns associated with Parkinson’s disease, such as the loss of dopamine-containing neurons, with brain scan signals showing improvement following treatment. The drug was developed by Inflazome, a company established in 2016 as a collaboration between the University of Queensland and Trinity College Dublin. The research received support from prominent organizations, including the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Shake It Up Australia Foundation.
In 2020, Inflazome was acquired by Roche, furthering its potential impact on global health. The findings from this groundbreaking research have been published in the journal Brain, marking an important step forward in the fight against Parkinson’s disease. As the global population ages, the need for effective treatments and preventative measures becomes increasingly urgent, making this research all the more significant.
