The devastating effects of dementia on individuals and their families have long been a major health challenge. Researchers at Lawson Research Institute are making groundbreaking strides by investigating whether Ambroxol, a commonly used cough medicine in Europe, can slow down dementia in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Published in the prestigious JAMA Neurology journal, this 12-month clinical trial involving 55 participants with Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) has provided promising results. The study, led by Cognitive Neurologist Dr. Stephen Pasternak, aimed to alter the course of Parkinson’s dementia and explore a new treatment avenue where few currently exist.

The clinical trial gave one group daily Ambroxol while the other received a placebo. Participants were monitored for memory loss, psychiatric symptoms, and GFAP, a blood marker linked to brain damage. The results indicate that Ambroxol may support brain function, especially in those genetically at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease dementia.

Ambroxol works by supporting the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase), which is often low in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. This enzyme plays a crucial role in breaking down waste in brain cells, and when it doesn’t work properly, damage can occur. Dr. Pasternak learned about Ambroxol during his fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children, where it was identified as a treatment for Gaucher disease – a rare genetic disorder caused by a deficiency of GCase.

The findings of this study are crucial because they suggest that Ambroxol may protect brain function in people with Parkinson’s-related diseases. This research is vital, especially since Parkinson’s dementia profoundly affects patients and families. If a drug like Ambroxol can help slow down its progression, it could offer real hope and improve lives.

Funded by the Weston Foundation, this study is an essential step toward developing new treatments for Parkinson’s disease and other cognitive disorders, including dementia with Lewy bodies. Dr. Pasternak and his team plan to start a follow-up clinical trial focused specifically on cognition later this year, further solidifying their commitment to finding effective solutions for individuals affected by these devastating diseases.

In a groundbreaking study led by Stanford Medicine, researchers have discovered that inhibiting an overactive enzyme called LRRK2 can reverse the effects of Parkinson’s disease in mice with a specific genetic mutation. The study found that when mice consumed a molecule called MLi-2 LRRK2 kinase inhibitor for three months, their brain cells regained primary cilia, restored communication between dopamine neurons and the striatum, and began producing neuroprotective factors again.

The research team was initially unsure whether cilia could regrow in fully mature neurons that were no longer reproducing through cell division. However, recent findings on neurons involved in regulating circadian rhythms inspired them to try again. After three months of treatment, the percentage of striatal neurons and glia affected by overactive LRRK2 enzyme with primary cilia was indistinguishable from those without the genetic mutation.

This breakthrough has significant implications for patients with Parkinson’s disease. The earliest symptoms begin about 15 years before someone notices a tremor, typically manifesting as a loss of smell, constipation, and sleep disorders. Researchers hope that people with the LRRK2 genetic mutation can start treatment early enough to prevent or delay the onset of symptoms.

The next step for the research team is to test whether other forms of Parkinson’s disease not associated with the LRRK2 genetic mutation could benefit from this type of treatment. If successful, this approach has great promise in restoring neuronal activity and improving quality of life for patients. The study was funded by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, the Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s initiative, and the United Kingdom Medical Research Council.

The discovery of certain microbe species in the human gut that can absorb toxic PFAS chemicals has brought hope for a potential solution to mitigate their harmful effects. Scientists at the University of Cambridge have found that these bacterial species can soak up various PFAS molecules from their surroundings, including those ingested through food and water.

Researchers introduced nine bacterial species into the guts of mice to “humanize” the mouse microbiome and observed that they rapidly accumulated PFAS eaten by the mice, which were then excreted in feces. The study found that as the mice were exposed to increasing levels of PFAS, the microbes worked harder, consistently removing the same percentage of the toxic chemicals.

Within minutes of exposure, the bacterial species tested absorbed between 25% and 74% of the PFAS molecules. This is the first evidence that the gut microbiome could play a helpful role in removing toxic PFAS chemicals from our bodies.

The researchers plan to use their discovery to create probiotic dietary supplements that boost the levels of these helpful microbes in our gut, protecting against the toxic effects of PFAS. However, this has not yet been directly tested in humans.

PFAS, or Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, are man-made chemicals used for their resistance to heat, water, oil, and grease. They are found in many everyday items, including waterproof clothing, non-stick pans, lipsticks, and food packaging. Due to their persistence in the environment, PFAS have accumulated in large quantities, affecting human health.

The study’s findings open up possibilities for developing ways to get PFAS out of our bodies where they do the most harm. Researchers are exploring various ways to turbocharge the microbes’ performance and create probiotics that remove PFAS from the body.

In addition to using probiotics, experts recommend avoiding PFAS-coated cooking pans and using a good water filter to help protect ourselves against PFAS.

The UK has launched a parliamentary inquiry into the risks and regulation of PFAS, highlighting the growing concern about their environmental and health impacts. The discovery of gut bacteria that can absorb PFAS molecules brings hope for a potential solution to mitigate these effects.