In vitro tests, it was found that isradipine, the antihypertensive drug is emerging as a potential new treatment for Parkinson disease. The results are very much cleared from the vitro test.
Isradipine is the calcium channel inhibitor. It helps to cure hypertension. In the previous study, it was found that people who took isradipine for hypertension had lower rates of Parkinson disease. After the results of that study, scientists want to examine It closely.
Some other tests showed that the drug protects the dopamine-producing neurons that are affected in Parkinson disease. Now the new study shows that treating mice with the medication protects the rodents dopaminergic neurons.
D. James Surmeier who is the professor of physiology at northwestern medicine in Chicago. He led the whole study, and the findings were published in the journal of clinical investigation.
The whole team including professor Surmeier test isradipine on mice for 7-10 days. To examine the results they use a quantitative imaging technique named two-photon laser scanning microscopy, by using this technique they measured the level of calcium inside the dopamine-producing neurons.
The study was concluded afterwards, isradipine inhibited calcium channels, due to this it slowed down the activity of mitochondria and lowered the production of toxic compounds which later on results in the Parkinson disease.
After conducting the tests on the mice now, the scientists were looking for human clinical trials. Scientists found that high oxidative stress in dopaminergic neurons damaged the cell’s mitochondria.
Professor Surmeier Statement
Professor Surmeier said, “ we diminished damage being done To mitochondria enough that dopaminergic neurons looked the same as neurons that are not lost in Parkinson disease.”
Finally, after the conduction of various tests, scientists found that the drug does not have any side effects on the human body. Along with this rodents continued to behave normally as before.
Now the scientists are working on testing isradipine in humans. The whole trial is called STEADY-PD. Now the third phase of the trial is on the way and being carried out at northwestern medicine and 50 other stated in the US.
So many drugs have failed before if isradipine becomes successful, it will be the first drug to slow down the progression Of Parkinson disease.