News

A diabetes drug called Exenatide could be beneficial for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, new research has found.

This new study is perhaps more noteworthy for the approach it has taken with respect to the clinical trial design.

All of this was done in a modest number of patients and the results compared with a matched control arm that received best medical therapy.

Using this approach they found a signal of effect that suggested that the drug may well be slowing down the disease process.

All of which is good news not only for patients with PD but for us all, as we seek to explore how drugs already out there could be repositioned.

• UK
• Parkinson's Disease
• Diabetes

A man and a woman who died in a suspected gas blast have been named locally as Jeanette and Leslie Rourke.

The pair are thought to have died following the explosion at the terraced house on Sunday, which has left a second man, believed to be Nicholas Rourke, in hospital.

However a four-month old girl had a miraculous escape, after she was rescued from a neighbouring property, with a woman and a seven-year-old boy, Nottinghamshire Police said.

They were taken to the city's Queen's Medical Centre for treatment and have since been discharged.

• UK
• Nottinghamshire
• Newark

• Although research is ongoing, to date there is no known cure or way to prevent Parkinson's disease.
• Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative neurological disorder marked by a progressive loss of motor control.

• The recent study investigated the use of a drug approved for diabetes care, Exenatide, in PD patients.
• Patients were divided into two groups: 20 patients received Exenatide injections for 12 months, while the other group of 24 patients served as controls.

• After one year of treatment patients receiving Exenatide displayed improved cognitive ability and motor skills, while control patients declined.
• The study suggests that Exenatide may improved motor function in patients and provides a strong rationale for conducting a larger study.

The study was carried out by the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

• UK
• Parkinson's Disease
• Diabetes

• Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition.
• One person in every 500 has Parkinson's. That's about 127,000 people in the UK.
• Most people who get Parkinson's are aged 50 or over but younger people can get it too. One in 20 is under the age of 40.

• People with Parkinson's don't have enough of a chemical called dopamine because some nerve cells in their brain have died.
• Without dopamine people can find that their movements become slower so it takes longer to do things.

• The loss of nerve cells in the brain causes the symptoms of Parkinson's to appear.
• There's currently no cure for Parkinson's and we don't yet know why people get the condition.
• Parkinson's doesn't directly cause people to die, but symptoms do get worse over time.

Source: Parkinson's UK

• UK
• Parkinson's Disease
• Diabetes

A common diabetes drug could be beneficial for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, new research suggests.

Exenatide is a drug commonly used to treat diabetes, however new research suggests that the drug may potentially be able to slow down the progression of Parkinson’s.

Research published by the Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that after one year of treatment, patients receiving the drug displayed improved cognitive ability and motor skills, while control patients declined.

• UK
• Parkinson's Disease
• Diabetes

The Prime Minister's spokesman has hinted the Government will accept a Labour amendment tonight on extending civil partnerships - a move that should ensure the Same Sex Marriages Bill becomes law.

The Culture Secretary Maria Miller had argued for a lengthy consultation over five years about whether civil partnerships should be extended to included heterosexual couples. Labour today put forward a Manuscript Note - a form of amendment - demanding an immediate consultation.

The Manuscript Note is entirely consistent with the Secretary of State's amendment, which is that there should be a full consultation within five years.

The implication is that the Government and Labour can reach agreement, to ensure the Same Sex Marriage bill goes through.

• Politics
• Conservatives
• David Cameron

The two-year-old son of Chelsea's goalkeeper Ross Turnbull has scored his debut goal at Stamford Bridge. Seemingly undaunted by the occasion, and with only one minor stumble, Josh edged towards the goal, before a final kick - sending the ball over the line.

The crowd was impressed too, chanting 'Sign him up!'

• Sport
• Chelsea FC