A Guide To Parkinson’s Disease Clinical Trials

The precise cause of Parkinson’s disease is not yet known. Much research is being completed to try an uncover this, as it will aid in prevention and treatment. Although it is not fatal by itself, the symptoms can seriously impact quality of life. Likewise, some complications leave a patient at greater risk of injury or other health issues.

In addition to dopamine-producing nerve cells, people with Parkinson’s lose nerve endings responsible for producing norepinephrine, which regulates the autonomic nervous system. This leads to disruption in automatic functions like heart rate and blood pressure.

Current Parkinson’s research focuses on the presence of Lewy bodies in patients’ brain cells. These unusual clumps of protein may be related to certain genetic mutations.

Parkinson’s clinical trials attract more participants than many other chronic diseases. The Michael J. Fox foundation is a leading organization dedicated to finding more advanced treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Millions of dollars from other outside resources have also been donated to study it. A variety of new clinical resources for Parkinson’s are in advanced stages of development.

Although no treatment restores damaged neurons, medications can moderate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The most common, a combination medication called carbidopa-levodopa in its generic form, works directly on the dopamine supply in the brain.

While the levodopa converts into dopamine in the brain, the carbidopa prevents it from breaking down and allows more of it to be converted. This supports the brain’s natural absorption and use of dopamine, which improves voluntary control of body movement.

Several other medications may be used, either long-term or in the disease’s later stages.

A surgical procedure called deep brain stimulation helps some patients as Parkinson’s gets more severe. In this procedure, electrodes are implanted into the brain. A doctor can fine-tune the electrical signals sent by these devices to reduce day to day symptoms.

The following clinical trial are the recent offered by Clinicaltrials.gov. If you would like us to showcase any further trials, please contact our team.