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Significant breakthrough in search for Parkinson's biomarker

michaeljfox.org

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Re: Significant breakthrough in search for Parkinson's biomarker

#11

Post by Mizza »

jtbayly wrote: post #10
lambdaba wrote: post #6

I just found out about Thiamine (vitamin B1) megadose therapy for Parkinson's: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3762356/ Another study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26505466/ > Conclusions: Administration of parenteral high-dose thiamine was effective in reversing PD motor and nonmotor symptoms. The clinical improvement was stable over time in all the patients. From our clinical evidence, we hypothesiz…

If this Was discovered 10 years ago, I’m assuming it must be fairly limited in helping, or the results haven’t lasted or something?

The cynic in me assumes that it's because this is not a patentable drug.

EDIT:

MJF foundation is aware of it at least - https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/thiamine-vitamin-b1-and-par..., but points out problems with the study. Further Googling quickly leads to the usual quackery about the magical properties of different supplements and vitamins. Hope this goes somewhere though.

Re: Significant breakthrough in search for Parkinson's biomarker

#13

Post by threeseed »

avazhi wrote: post #3

Not to unnecessarily shit on the parade, but I’m not sure this is by itself all that exciting, and calling it a breakthrough seems like an exaggeration. Diagnosing Parkinson’s isn’t really an issue - worst case you give the putative sufferer Levadopa and see if they respond. If they do, they’ve got Parkinson’s. Not sure how much this really changes the time horizon for an actual treatment. It’s progress, ostensibly,…

They are working towards not requiring spinal fluid for the test.

So it's possible that it could end up being a non-invasive test that could be done at regular intervals early in life.

Especially given that 15% of people with Parkinson's have a family history.

Re: Significant breakthrough in search for Parkinson's biomarker

#14

Post by cycomanic »

lambdaba wrote: post #6

I just found out about Thiamine (vitamin B1) megadose therapy for Parkinson's: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3762356/ Another study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26505466/ > Conclusions: Administration of parenteral high-dose thiamine was effective in reversing PD motor and nonmotor symptoms. The clinical improvement was stable over time in all the patients. From our clinical evidence, we hypothesiz…

https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/thiamine-vitamin-b1-and-par...

The Michael J Fox foundation is more muted and says evidence is still missing. There have only been 2 trials and both were missing a placebo control group.

Re: Significant breakthrough in search for Parkinson's biomarker

#16

Post by PaulKeeble »

c3534l wrote: post #12

My grandmother had Parkinson's and it was awful. How long until I can go to the doctor, get some blood drawn, and see if I'll develop it one day?

You could do a genetic test, Parkinsons has well associated genetic markers and consumer level companies can do testing of this (and others). 23 and me have a bit on it.

https://www.23andme.com/topics/health-predispositions/parkin...

Re: Significant breakthrough in search for Parkinson's biomarker

#17

Post by EvanAnderson »

c3534l wrote: post #12

My grandmother had Parkinson's and it was awful. How long until I can go to the doctor, get some blood drawn, and see if I'll develop it one day?

What would you do if you found out you would? (I ask as someone whose great-grandfather, great-uncle, and grandfather all had Parkinson’s.)

I’ve avoided any testing because, as far as I know, there’s nothing preventative to be done. I’d love to hear otherwise. I’ve broached the subject with my last two primary care physicians and both advised that there was no point in knowing.

Re: Significant breakthrough in search for Parkinson's biomarker

#18

Post by huhtenberg »

cycomanic wrote: post #14
lambdaba wrote: post #6

I just found out about Thiamine (vitamin B1) megadose therapy for Parkinson's: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3762356/ Another study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26505466/ > Conclusions: Administration of parenteral high-dose thiamine was effective in reversing PD motor and nonmotor symptoms. The clinical improvement was stable over time in all the patients. From our clinical evidence, we hypothesiz…

https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/thiamine-vitamin-b1-and-par... The Michael J Fox foundation is more muted and says evidence is still missing. There have only been 2 trials and both were missing a placebo control group.

It's for the US and Canada only.

Re: Significant breakthrough in search for Parkinson's biomarker

#19

Post by PaulKeeble »

avazhi wrote: post #3

Not to unnecessarily shit on the parade, but I’m not sure this is by itself all that exciting, and calling it a breakthrough seems like an exaggeration. Diagnosing Parkinson’s isn’t really an issue - worst case you give the putative sufferer Levadopa and see if they respond. If they do, they’ve got Parkinson’s. Not sure how much this really changes the time horizon for an actual treatment. It’s progress, ostensibly,…

Biomarkers are extremely important in any disease. They make diagnosis very clear cut but that isn't the main reason they are necessary.

What a biomarker really does is focus research for treatments, you know precisely what it is you have to change and to what level and how to measure it. This makes it a easy to target drug development and to measure whether it works. Without a biomarker you never know if the drug being developed will help or not and most drug companies stay away from diseases without one.

Re: Significant breakthrough in search for Parkinson's biomarker

#20

Post by _qua »

Mizza wrote: post #11
jtbayly wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If this Was discovered 10 years ago, I’m assuming it must be fairly limited in helping, or the results haven’t lasted or something?

The cynic in me assumes that it's because this is not a patentable drug. EDIT: MJF foundation is aware of it at least - https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/thiamine-vitamin-b1-and-par... , but points out problems with the study. Further Googling quickly leads to the usual quackery about the magical properties of different supplements and vitamins. Hope this goes somewhere though.

No way. About five years ago there was a quack-y study about reducing death in sepsis which called for high-dose vitamin C, thiamine and steroids. None of these are patent protected. The first study purported to show a 100% reduction in mortality. There were many RCTs done after this which did not bear out the effect, and it has now essentially been proven to be ineffective. it is possible to fund studies without industry money.
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