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New pill for Parkinson’s disease offers hope of treating symptoms and with fewer side-effects
The Independent • • health
Key Points:
- A new drug called solengepras has shown promise in reducing "off" periods—times when Parkinson’s patients feel unwell or stiff—by nearly 37 minutes daily in a recent trial involving 341 participants.
- Unlike existing treatments that increase dopamine and may cause side effects like nausea and involuntary movements, solengepras works by blocking the GPR6 receptor to improve movement without serious adverse effects.
- Patients taking the higher dose of solengepras also experienced about 36 extra minutes of "on" time without dyskinesia, resulting in easier daily activities such as dressing and eating.
- The drug was well tolerated during the 12-week trial, with only minor side effects like headaches and urinary tract infections reported, and Cerevance plans to discuss these results with the FDA for potential approval within three years.
- Parkinson’s disease is the fastest growing neurological condition globally, affecting over 10 million people, and solengepras offers hope for better management of motor fluctuations, a particularly challenging symptom for patients.
