(following is liberated from: Pre-treatment with R-Lipoic Acid Alleviates the Effects of GSH Depletion in PC12 Cells: Implications for Parkinson’s Disease Therapy

S. Bharath, , 1, B. C. Cochran1, M. Hsu1, J. Liu2, 3, B. N. Ames2, 3 and J. K. Andersen1 )


"Oxidative stress is believed to play a key role in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. An important biochemical feature of PD is a significant early depletion in levels of the thiol antioxidant compound glutathione (GSH) which may lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial dysfunction, and ultimately to subsequent neuronal cell death..."

I have read anecdotal accounts of glutathione IV helping individuals with PD (oral glutathione is deactivated in the gut--it is useless. If someone is attempting to sell you an oral preparation of glutathione, my advice would be to pass and get away from them as quickly as possible)
One of the neurologists we consulted, Dr. Catherine Wilner, Durango, Co (she practices Functional Medicine--though is an MD, Mayo Clinic trained neurologist) uses IV glutathione as a "test" for PD, much as other MDs use Sinemet as a test. She maintains that IV glutathione initially causes a burst of the substance from the Substantia Nigra, but it quickly becomes depleted and likened its use to "beating a dead horse" with repeated use--. Thus this is "our" anecdote.
As with many other therapies in PD, what works for some does not work for others--who knows. It may work long term for you--though it is expensive to obtain in Florida. There are reports of individual(s) obtaining IV glutathione preparation from Florida and having their own physician administer it, though I think this happened for a person whose husband was an MD. Have you a relative who could administer it?
There are some supplements which are thought to be precursors and /or assist in proper function of glutathione which one may take orally--R+-alpha lipoic acid is one of these, riboflavin (Vit B2) is another necessary substance for glutathione to work properly. There are other supplements and vitamins and minerals which assist in glutathione functioning--selenium is part of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase.
best of luck, madelyn