So which "existing" diabetes drug turns the PGC-1 Alpha "Master Switch" back on?
 

Possibly this one?

http://jap.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/101/6/1685

Metformin increases the PGC-1 protein and oxidative enzyme activities possibly via AMPK phosphorylation in skeletal muscle in vivo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metformin

Good question
 

I am thinking this class of drugs:

Thiazolidinediones one of which is Pioglitazone which I remembered seeing that it was a diabetic drug that held promise for treating Parkinson's

Here is an article on it from 2006

I find it interesting that we have an endocrine link...who is it here that strongly feels PD is linked to insulin metabolism...is it Bluedhalia?

Laura

Thanks for the link
 

That was four years ago. Have they started a trial yet?

We're talking the world of research alternate universe
 

Yep, that's why I wondered whether this was just old but updated news which essentially it is. Researchers were onto this four years go, but I guess the genetic link and the master switch thing are the key new developments.

The brand name is Actos. I guess this is one of the few that doesn't have nasty cardiac side effects. There is a really great article in Nature on all of this. You'll love this quote:

... a clinical trial to test Actos in patients with Parkinson's disease has already been approved by regulators.

Nature article

No trial to date that I can find at clinicaltrials.gov

Laura

I looked there too
 

Couldn't find anything.

There is a new trial of Byetta (another Diabetes drug) that is taking place in England. But I don't know if it stimulates this particular protein.

The link you provided says that MJFF provided some funding for the study. I don't get why four years have gone by without a trial.

Cal

Published online 6 October 2010 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2010.518

News
Damaged cell powerhouses linked to Parkinson's
New uses for old drugs

Such drugs have already been widely pursued as potential therapies for type 2 diabetes, and some have already been approved for that use. Avandia (rosiglitazone), a diabetes drug recently pulled from the European market because it raises the risk of heart attack, activates a key protein in the PGC-1α pathway.

But a related drug called Actos (pioglitazone) has not been firmly linked to heart attack and remains in use. Beal says that a clinical trial to test Actos in patients with Parkinson's disease has already been approved by regulators.

http://www.nature.com/news/2010/1010....2010.518.html

no mention of metformin altho it sounds safe for diabetes.

What happened to it?
 

Paula,

We're onto that, but Actos was first brought up in the news four years ago! MFJJ funded the initial study and there has been no movement on it. I searched for the lead researchers name "Marina Emborg" and it doesn't even look like it is on her radar...another possible major treatment sucked into the black hole.

If Debi Brooks is reading...help! :)

Laura

I second that - Debi Brooks can you give us an update? TIA!
 

Thanks Laura

Cal

emailed
 

...debi brooks and katie hood; hope they know, could it possibly be under wraps? Does it involve a separate patent?

it seems cinnamon & extra virgin coconut oil supplementation might do the job as good as a diabete drug concerning the PGC-1 Alpha
Alzeihmer is considered more&more as a diabete type 3 (cognitive diabete)
i invite you to read this !!!!!!!!!!!!

coconut oil
http://alzheimers.infopop.cc/eve/for...261/m/63910335

cinnamon
http://alzheimers.infopop.cc/eve/for...1/m/6051008062