The conclusion from the trial was that while these data must still not be interpreted as evidence of neuroprotection, they nevertheless provide strong encouragement for the further study of this drug as a potential disease modifying agent in Parkinson's disease.
Tom Isaacs, Co-founder and President of The Cure Parkinson's Trust, said: Although it is important to stress that there is still more evidence required before we can emphatically support the use of Exenatide in Parkinson's, we are hugely encouraged by these findings. This is the first time in the twenty years I have lived with Parkinson's that I have witnessed such robust data which supports the view that we can permanently alter the degenerative nature of Parkinson's. The results of this trial also bear out The Cure Parkinson's Trust's policy to accelerate new treatments through conducting clinical trials on medicines already in use in humans.
The results will be published in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease under the title "Motor and Cognitive Advantages Persist 12 Months after Exenatide Exposure in Parkinson's Disease." Ref: Journal of Parkinson’s Disease 10.3233/JPD-140364
About The Cure Parkinson's Trust
The Cure Parkinson's Trust is patient-led and involves people living with Parkinson’s disease to help shape its research policy and priorities. The charity has one aim – to find a cure for Parkinson's. It funds innovative scientists with the aim of developing treatments to halt or reverse the condition.