Game-changing Parkinson’s pill could be just five years away

A pill that could slow down or halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease could be available within five years.

The drug, nicotinamide riboside (NR), is a form of naturally-occurring vitamin B3 and is found in fruit, vegetables, meat and milk.

In a trial, NR improved symptoms, reduced inflammation in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord and boosted the brain’s metabolism.

The findings could lead to the development of new drugs that slow progression of Parkinson’s and help manage its symptoms.

A Phase II trial involving 400 patients has already begun and is set to conclude by the end of 2023.

Lead researcher Charalampos Tzoulis of the University of Bergen, said:

“We are very excited about these results.

“Current treatments for Parkinson’s provide some symptom relief, but make no impact on disease progression.

“We hope that this treatment may achieve the ultimate goal in the field of Parkinson’s Disease – and neurodegeneration in general: to go beyond mere symptom control and delay or arrest the progression of the disease.

“Ultimately, whether this will lead to an established therapy for Parkinson’s depends on the results of the ongoing phase II trial. If that is positive, we could be looking at a new drug within the next five years.”

Tzoulis urged people to avoid self-medicating with NR supplements until their impact on the disease is better understood.

The findings were welcomed by experts not involved in the study, including Dr Beckie Port, head of research communications and engagement at Parkinson’s UK, who said:

“While results are needed from larger, longer-term trials, it is exciting that the researchers may find that a relatively inexpensive NR supplement could help manage some of the symptoms which impact the everyday lives of people with Parkinson’s.

“Interestingly, the team found that the supplement may not benefit everyone. But for some, there are promising signs that nicotinamide riboside may have protective effects that could help slow the progression of Parkinson’s.”

Parkinson’s disease affects around 145,000 people in the UK.

Age is the largest risk factor for the development and progression of the condition, according to the British Geriatrics Society.