The leukemia drug, nilotinib
appears to reduce the symptoms in people who have Lewy Body Dementia and
Parkinson’s with dementia. These neurodegenerative diseases all have toxic protein build-up problems, which is what nilotinib seemingly targets. In a recent
pilot study, 12 individuals were given small doses of nilotinib and the results
were hopeful. Movement and mental function improved in all 11 subjects who
completed the 6 month trial. One woman regained the ability to feed herself,
while one man began to walk without his walker, and one nonverbal patient actually started speaking again. Furthermore, nilotinib was injected to paralyzed mice with Parkinson’s and the
mice regained movement. Blood and spinal fluid samples from these mice showed decreased levels of toxic protein build up as well.
Researchers hypothesize that
nilotinib activates a system that works like a garbage disposal, riding the
brain cells of the toxic protein build-up that is common in these types of
neurodegenerative diseases. Further research must be carried out of course to better
understand the mechanisms at work and any short or long term risks. There is of
course a downside already known about this hopeful leukemia drug-it is very
expensive. Dementia and Parkinson’s patients would have to stay on nilotinib
indefinitely to maintain their quality of life, and at thousands of dollars per
month, it isn’t very accessible to the general public.
This topic is very near and dear to
my heart because my grandfather had Lewy Body Dementia and suffered from the
nasty symptoms that drastically decreased his quality of life. It is really hard
to watch a loved one go through this horrible decline and care give for someone
who literally can’t do anything on his or her own. I hope that nilotinib really
lives up to all of this hype and becomes more affordable in the future!
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