How common cough syrup could help Parkinson's patients
The year-long clinical trial involving 55 participants found Ambroxol to be safe, well-tolerated, and capable of reaching therapeutic levels in the brain.
Participants receiving Ambroxol showed stable neuropsychiatric symptoms, unlike the placebo group, where symptoms worsened, and those with high-risk genetic variants showed improved cognitive performance.
The drug appears to protect the brain from deterioration, as indicated by stable levels of the brain damage marker GFAP in the Ambroxol group compared to an increase in the placebo group.
While Ambroxol is widely used in Europe for respiratory conditions, it remains unapproved for any use in the United States or Canada, with researchers hoping for larger trials to confirm its effectiveness.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Disturbing link between Parkinson's disease and living beside a golf club revealed by new study
LIVING near a golf course might come with more than just scenic views - it could carry a hidden health risk. A new study has revealed a troubling connection between proximity to golf courses and the likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease. 2 The research focused on residents in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, where pesticide use on golf courses may be a key factor. Led by the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, along with Mayo Clinic, the study analyzed 419 Parkinson's patients with a control group. Data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project between 1991 and 2015 helped researchers compare Parkinson's patients with a control group. The greatest risk was seen in people living one to three miles from a golf course and the expansive lawns that come with it. Living within one mile of a fairway was linked to a 126% increase in odds of developing Parkinson's, the study found. Those in water service areas that included a golf course had nearly double the risk compared to areas without one. The risk jumped 82% for people living in under water service areas that also had vulnerable groundwater. 'Pesticides applied to golf courses may play a role in the incidence of PD [Parkinson's disease] for nearby residents,' researchers concluded in the study, published in JAMA Network Open. 'The strongest effects were in municipal water service areas with a golf course and in regions with vulnerable groundwater based on the bedrock and topography,' lead author Brittany Krzyzanowski, Ph.D told Fox News. She added, 'We speculate that pesticides might play a role. However, we didn't include data on pesticides in this study, so future research is needed to better understand what's going on.' Peter Andre shares emotional moment he's reunited with his mum Thea who's battling Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Medical director of the MS Center at Holy Name Medical Center in New Jersey, Dr. Mary Ann Picone, who was not involved in the research, weighed in on the findings. 'There has often been discussion regarding risks for development of Parkinson's disease and environmental agents such as pesticides,' she told Fox News. 'Further research is needed with larger groups of patients, but this study does increase the concern about the association between pesticide exposure and risk of Parkinson's,' Picone added. She also warned that airborne exposure to pesticides could contribute to the risk. What is Parkinson's disease? PARKINSON'S is a progressive neurological condition. This means that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time. People with Parkinson's don't have enough of the chemical dopamine in their brain because some of the nerve cells that make it have stopped working. Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson's in the UK. It's the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. Symptoms start to appear when the brain can't make enough dopamine to control movement properly. This usually happens around the age of 50, but some people might see the first signs in their 40s. There are over 40 symptoms, but the three main ones are: A tremor (shaking) Slowness of movement Rigidity (muscle stiffness) There are several different treatments, therapies and support available to help manage the condition. Source: Parkinson's UK The study did not measure individual levels of pesticide exposure, which researchers noted as a limitation. 'There are many other aspects as well that can interfere with developing a disease,' said senior author Dr. Rodolfo Savica of the Mayo Clinic. Researchers admitted the results may not apply to all areas, since the study focused on a region with hot, humid summers where pesticide use may be higher. Other risk factors, like head injuries or genetics were also not considered in the study. DEVELOPING PARKINSON'S Krzyzanowski pointed out that Parkinson's can take decades to develop, so the focus was on exposure from years ago. 'If pesticides were involved, they would be the ones sprayed a long time ago and that might be different from what's being sprayed today,' she said. Picone echoed that point, adding the research looked at exposure going back to 2013 or earlier. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America pushed back on the study's implications. 'Public health experts and researchers who have reviewed the study have noted that the study's methodological limitations make it difficult to draw conclusions from the data,' the group said in a statement. They added that all pesticides used on golf courses are registered by the EPA and don't create 'unreasonable adverse effects' when applied properly. Mayo Clinic's Savica said older adults should still enjoy being active and social. 'I recommend people continue to play sports outdoors and enjoy the sociality of any activity, including playing golf,' he said. But he also advised people to be cautious around areas where pesticide exposure may be possible.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Centene pulls 2025 earnings forecast after hit to marketplace revenue
July 1 (Reuters) - Centene (CNC.N), opens new tab said on Tuesday it had withdrawn its 2025 earnings forecast after new industry data showed a significant drop in expected revenue from its marketplace health insurance plans. Shares of the U.S. health insurer declined nearly 22% in extended trading. The company said preliminary data from 22 of the 29 U.S. states where Centene offers marketplace plans suggested a $1.8 billion drop in risk adjustment revenue, equivalent to a $2.75 hit to adjusted earnings per share. Centene had previously forecast 2025 adjusted earnings per shares of more than $7.25. The shortfall reflects higher-than-expected patient morbidity, or a sicker population, and slower market growth in those 22 states, which represent about 72% of Centene's marketplace membership, the company said. The data was provided by independent actuarial firm Wakely. The drop in risk adjustment payments, which are meant to balance costs for covering higher-risk patients, is likely to weigh on Centene's earnings this year. The company also reported elevated Medicaid medical costs in states like New York and Florida, particularly in behavioral health, home care and drug spending, and said it expects its second-quarter medical costs to be higher as a result. In the first quarter, the company faced elevated costs in its government-backed Medicaid plans for lower-income groups. Insurers who offer Medicaid plans have seen elevated costs over the past few quarters after the end of a pandemic-era policy. As states re-determined eligibility for the plans, healthier members fell off the rolls, leaving behind those who require more medical services. Industry bellwether UnitedHealth (UNH.N), opens new tab in May also suspended its annual forecast due to surging medical costs. Centene offers insurance plans under the federal Obamacare marketplace. It is the largest marketplace carrier, serving 4.4 million members across 29 states as of December 31 under the brand name Ambetter Health, the company said in an annual filing. Centene plans to report its quarterly results on July 25.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
NHS to get technology fast lane to roll out new equipment more quickly after it passes trials
THE NHS will get a technology fast lane to roll out new equipment more quickly after it passes trials. The 'innovator passport' is part of Health Secretary Wes Streeting 's bid to cut red tape and modernise the service. 1 He said: 'For too long, Britain 's leading scientific minds have been held back by needless admin. 'Suppliers are repeatedly asked for the same data in different formats by different trusts. 'These innovator passports will save time and reduce duplication, meaning our life sciences sector can work hand in hand with the health service and make Britain a powerhouse for medical technology." Under the new system, sign-off from one central office after a pilot trial will be enough for something to be funded and used nationwide. Examples of kit not yet being widely used despite successful trials include better wound dressings and rapid flu tests. Mr Streeting added 'Frustrated patients will no longer have to face a postcode lottery for lifesaving products.' Sam Roberts, chief of spending watchdog the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence, said: 'Access to life-changing technologies that address the most urgent needs will no longer be a case of a postcode lottery. 'Patients will get access wherever they live, the NHS will get better value by buying at scale, and we can stop relying on outdated tools that lead to poorer outcomes.'
