Leukaemia drug could help slow Parkinson's

A drug used to treat leukaemia could slow the progression of Parkinson's disease, researchers have said.

Scientists from the University of Texas Health Science Center have discovered a mechanism in Parkinson's that prevents protein Parkin from clearing the brain of other proteins that can kill off cells.

It was found that an enzyme linked to chronic myeloid leukaemia stops the Parkin from working effectively.

Therefore, when the leukaemia drug was used to block the enszyme, it proved effective at preventing destruction of brain cells.

However, research is only in the early stages and the drug used does not work properly in humans. Nevertheless, other drugs are being developed that could help to solve this.

Meanwhile, researchers from Auckland University are to investigate the link between Parkinson's disease and cannabis.

The illegal drug has long been thought to be a trigger of Parkinson's disease but could also be a help for those with the condition, reports the nzherald.co.nz.

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