Drug Compound Attacks Parkinson’s Disease On Two Fronts

Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Also Included In: Neurology / Neuroscience Article Date: 20 Jun 2013 - 11:00 PDT

Current ratings for: Drug Compound Attacks Parkinson's Disease On Two Fronts

Study leader, Professor Phil LoGrasso explained that the two proteins (enzymes) tend to amply each others' effect. "What we were looking for is a high-affinity, high-selectivity treatment that is additive or synergistic in its effect - a one-two punch."

The scientists believe that is exactly what they have found - a one-two punch.

The new dual inhibitor attacks two enzymes - JNK (c-jun-N-terminal kinase) and LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2).

After testing many thousands of Parkinson's patients, those with mutations in the LRRK2 gene had a much higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease. On the other hand, JNK plays a major role in nerve cell (neuron) survival in several neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, they have become popular targets for medications to treat Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

A dual inhibitor, i.e. one with both HNK and LRRK2 inhibitors, is more preferable to having two separate medications because there would be no risk of drug-drug interactions, as well as having to adjust individual inhibitor doses for best efficacy.

The scientists now need to optimize the dual inhibitor for bioavailability, potency, and high selectivity so that the risk of off-target side effects are kept to a minimum. Then it will be tested on animal models of Parkinson's disease.

This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health grant NS057153.

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Drug Compound Attacks Parkinson's Disease On Two Fronts