{"id":921675,"date":"2026-10-09T09:38:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T09:38:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/921675\/"},"modified":"2026-10-09T09:38:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T09:38:11","slug":"australian-trial-offers-new-hope-for-preventing-parkinsons-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/921675\/","title":{"rendered":"Australian trial offers new hope for preventing Parkinson\u2019s disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

An Australian-led clinical trial has shown promising results for an experimental drug that could help delay or even prevent Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Researchers at Macquarie University tested a daily pill in people with a sleep disorder that can appear years before a Parkinson\u2019s diagnosis.<\/p>\n

After 12 weeks, brain scans showed reduced inflammation in a region involved in controlling movement.<\/p>\n

What the trial found<\/p>\n

The phase two trial involved 41 people with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder, known as iRBD.<\/p>\n

The condition causes people to physically act out their dreams, sometimes kicking, punching or thrashing around in their sleep. It is one of the strongest recognised warning signs for Parkinson\u2019s and related neurological conditions.<\/p>\n

Thirty participants received SNT-4728, an Australian-developed experimental pill, while 11 received a placebo.<\/p>\n

Researchers used PET scans to measure brain inflammation at the beginning of the trial and after 12 weeks of treatment.<\/p>\n

Twenty of the 30 participants taking the drug had less brain inflammation after treatment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the study showed was a significant reduction of inflammation in a critical area of the brain involved in movement,\u201d lead researcher Professor Simon Lewis said. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf we can save those cells, people may never develop a disease like Parkinson\u2019s because you are actively slowing down that cell death.\u201d<\/p>\n

The hope for earlier treatment<\/p>\n

Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/a>\u00a0is the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the world, with more than 10 million people affected globally. In Australia, over 150,000 people are living with the condition, with around 50 diagnosed every day, according to Parkinson\u2019s Australia.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"More than 150,000 Australians live with Parkinson\u2019s disease. Image: Getty<\/p>\n

The progressive neurological condition affects nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a chemical that helps control movement. As dopamine levels fall, symptoms include tremors, stiffness and slower movements, as well as changes in sleep, mood and digestion.<\/p>\n

There is currently no cure for Parkinson\u2019s but medications can help manage symptoms.<\/p>\n

The hope is that treating inflammation at this early stage could help protect brain cells before the movement symptoms of Parkinson\u2019s appear. Longer trials are now needed to establish whether the effects last and whether the drug can actually delay or prevent the disease.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Profile\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHealth and Beauty Editor
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMelody Teh\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Melody Teh is the Health and Beauty Editor at The Australian Women\u2019s Weekly, where she covers women\u2019s health, wellness, nutrition, fitness and beauty. She holds a Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Technology, Sydney, and has spent over a decade working across Australia\u2019s leading digital publications, including Mamamia and news.com.au. When she\u2019s not interviewing experts or unpacking the latest research, you\u2019ll find her at the gym, on the yoga mat, or experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen.<\/p>\n

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