All it takes is one ‘jab’
If you do not like needles, then you may not be too thrilled about this latest discovery which could reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, perhaps for life. British scientists, this week, revealed that they have developed an injection which, when injected directly into the brain, can reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
If you do not like needles, then you may not be too thrilled about this latest discovery which could reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, perhaps for life.
British scientists, this week, revealed that they have developed an injection which, when injected directly into the brain, can reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
The disease is caused by death of brain cells that produce a chemical called dopamine which is essential for co-ordination.
Treatments include a drug called L-dopa, which boosts dopamine but can cause muscle problems.
The Oxford BioMedica team of scientists recently developed the new injection which contains three genes which are central to the manufacture of dopamine.
The Daily Mail newspaper reported that once injected into the brain under anaesthetic, it sets up a replacement dopamine “factory”.
The experiment included giving nine patients the injection, which revealed that there was an average of 43% reduction in shaking and stiffness in all patients.
Walking and agility was improved by 61% in one patient, while others were able to take the bus or complete a round of golf for the first time in years.
Scientists, who tested the injection on dementia patients, say just one jab may be enough to treat the disease for life.
More trials are planned and the drug, which has no serious side-effects, is at least six years away from sale.
Would you want to have your brain jabbed and poked at by a needle? What do you think about this latest medical discovery?
