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After a Parkinson’s diagnosis, one of the first questions a person asks is, “What is going to happen to me?” People with Parkinson’s disease understandably want to know how their symptoms will change over time.

Many clinical trials use a placebo comparison to evaluate the effect of a new drug or therapy. Some people get the active intervention and some get an inactive “fake” treatment that looks the same as the real thing. What is a placebo? Is it a good thing? Can a placebo make you feel worse? From Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research website.

Results are in from a study of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a “brain fertilizer” that some scientists believe may help protect dopamine cells and improve Parkinson’s symptoms. Many news reports are citing the findings as miraculous, but the response could be due to placebo effect.

Gene therapy is a hot topic in Parkinson’s disease. Researchers are now testing this novel approach in clinical trials of people with mid- to late-stage Parkinson’s. These therapies are intended to treat movement symptoms, lessen levodopa needs and, in turn, limit possible medication complications.

We are happy to announce our support to the upcoming new phase of the pet tracer project of AC IMMUNE, a Swiss biopharmaceutical company.