[olsen]

"... currently no such test for Parkinson's, but at Northwestern University, researchers think they might have found a way to slow its progression.

"We looked at the cells in the brain that were most vulnerable to the disease. What we saw was they allowed lots and lots of calcium into their cell bodies," said Jim Surmeier, Physiologist who spoke to VOA by Skype.

The calcium eventually killed dopamine-producing cells and triggered Parkinson's symptoms. But the Northwestern University scientists found a drug that limits the brain cells' uptake of calcium..."

http://www.voanews.com/content/new-t...e/1607833.html

[reverett123]

Calcium Channels as a Potential Target for Neuroprotection in Parkinson’s Disease
Tanya Simuni, D James Surmeier
US Neurology, 2011;7(2):109-12
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease affecting 1 % of the population above the age 65. The principal motor symptoms of PD are attributable to the preferential loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Recent studies demonstrate that dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the SNc, as well as many neurons in other regions affected by PD, have a distinctive physiologic phenotype. They are autonomous L-type Cav1.3 Ca2+ channels pacemakers. Continuous Ca2+ influx results in increased oxidative stress that may explain the selective vulnerability of these neurons. More importantly for PD, blocking these channels with isradipine, the most potent of the dihydropyridine (DHP) channel antagonists at L-type Ca2+ channels with the Cav1.3 subunit, protects these neurons in in vitro and in vivo models of parkinsonism. Neuroprotective effect is achieved at the serum concentrations that can be achieved with the doses approved for human use. Recent epidemiologic data also points to a reduced risk of PD with chronic use of specifically centrally acting DHP Ca2+ channel antagonists. Isradipine is an approved agent for the treatment of hypertension. Our pilot data demonstrate acceptable dose-dependent tolerability of isradipine in early PD. A pilot Phase II multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, safety, tolerability, and dosage finding study of isradipine in early PD has completed recruitment, with the results of the study to be available in the near future. Results of that study will inform the design of the planned Phase III pivotal efficacy trial of isradipine, as a disease modifying agent in early PD.

[GerryW]

Originally Posted by reverett123

Calcium Channels as a Potential Target for Neuroprotection in Parkinson’s Disease
Tanya Simuni, D James Surmeier
US Neurology, 2011;7(2):109-12
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease affecting 1 % of the population above the age 65. The principal motor symptoms of PD are attributable to the preferential loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Recent studies demonstrate that dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the SNc, as well as many neurons in other regions affected by PD, have a distinctive physiologic phenotype. They are autonomous L-type Cav1.3 Ca2+ channels pacemakers. Continuous Ca2+ influx results in increased oxidative stress that may explain the selective vulnerability of these neurons. More importantly for PD, blocking these channels with isradipine, the most potent of the dihydropyridine (DHP) channel antagonists at L-type Ca2+ channels with the Cav1.3 subunit, protects these neurons in in vitro and in vivo models of parkinsonism. Neuroprotective effect is achieved at the serum concentrations that can be achieved with the doses approved for human use. Recent epidemiologic data also points to a reduced risk of PD with chronic use of specifically centrally acting DHP Ca2+ channel antagonists. Isradipine is an approved agent for the treatment of hypertension. Our pilot data demonstrate acceptable dose-dependent tolerability of isradipine in early PD. A pilot Phase II multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, safety, tolerability, and dosage finding study of isradipine in early PD has completed recruitment, with the results of the study to be available in the near future. Results of that study will inform the design of the planned Phase III pivotal efficacy trial of isradipine, as a disease modifying agent in early PD.

I tried isradipine for a while but it is unique among calcium channel blockers in having a strong diuretic effect so it grounded me. I am now interested in apoaequorin (Prevagen.) The manufacturer says they are not testing it against PD but since it stops age related calcium pathologies in the brain, it might be worth a try. It has been criticized for supposedly not being able to cross the BBB but Quincy Bioscience says tests on dogs refute this.

[lab rat]

I was put on isradipine when I was dxd with PD. Still taking it now. It has "changed" my PD from mostly rigid to mostly tremors. My MDS says the NW drug is a more specific calcium channel blocker and can be taken in higher doses without affecting blood pressure.

Isradipine used to be available as a controlled release formulation but was taken off the market a while ago. The standard release formulation is available as a generic.

[Arsippe]

Lab Rat, trading rigidity for tremors doesn't sound like a good deal to me. I had been thinking of taking it to see if it would help my tremor dominant parkinsonism. What degree of tremor did you have before taking isradipine (dynacirc)--did you have no tremors before or just a little bit that didn't interfere with adl's or what? MJFF website announced back in July 2012 results of clinical trial of isradipine insofar as dosage safety is concerned with a plan to move ahead with a stage III trial which would focus on efficacy. I was encouraged by this because elsewhere I think I had read that it could help w/tremors. That's why I'm taken with your account of it inciting tremors that you may not have had otherwise....

[lurkingforacure]

Sorry, but this is old news and when it first came out, we went on it and took it for awhile. No difference that we could tell, we took it for quite a while before giving up on it.

I really wish they would not re-release things like this, making it sound new and promising. Maybe there really is something here, but to me, it seems more like hype so that funding into this research is continued. Nothing in this "new" press release is any different from what I remember reading before.