Lewy Bodies might protect neurons from alpha synuclein toxicity
 

"...Researchers have long believed that it is the presence of the Lewy bodies that induces toxicity, and now discover that toxicity arises at an earlier level..."

http://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2016/...lein-toxicity/

Olsen, thanks for posting this. I think it is an important result. If it is confirmed, it will force a change of direction for much on-going research.

As I understand it, one of the leading contenders to explain PD was that in PwP alpha-synuclein formed fibrils and these aggregated together to form Lewy Bodies. It followed that a potential therapy could involve taking substances such as mannitol, curcumin and cumin which reduce the rate of alpha-synuclein fibrillation.

The present finding shows that the situation is more complex than simple alpha-synuclein is good, while complex alpha-synuclein is bad. This finding is a set-back, because it shows that we do not understand the pathogenesis of the disease.

I've been supplementing my normal diet with turmeric and cumin seeds in the hope that this would slow the fibrillation and, hence, the progression of the disease. Now is time for a rethink,

John

If this study is valid, then use of monoclonal antibodies like Prothena's PRX002 or another from Affiris Inc. would be the way to go. These vaccines remove soluble α-synuclein which is supposedly toxic to cells. On the other hand this new finding makes me feel more cautious in choosing experimental or non-proven therapies - too much uncertainty and unknown about the mechanisms involved into the pathogenesis of the disease. Even supplements most of us are taking could be questioned, as John mentioned in his post (assuming they work:)). I also recall that I saw some additional infos suggesting that soluble α-syn is a main offender.

Nilotinib, protects dopaminergic neurons
 

There have been posts here on Nilotnlib earlier. This is an FDA approved drug for cancer and it has been shown to work, at lower doses, for PD to clear out c-Abl activity. Does Michael Fox know about this?

The c-Abl inhibitor, Nilotinib, protects dopaminergic neurons in a preclinical animal model of Parkinson's disease


http://www.nature.com/articles/srep04874#f7

https://gumc.georgetown.edu/news/Can...Clinical-Trial


http://www.georgetown.edu/news/cance...ons-study.html

http://lctglobal.com/upload/news/201...ns%20trial.pdf

A-syn vaccine debate
 

Both sides of the a-synuclein vaccine debate:

http://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2016/...ase-treatment/

[QUOTE=ashleyk;1204806]There have been posts here on Nilotnlib earlier. This is an FDA approved drug for cancer and it has been shown to work, at lower doses, for PD to clear out c-Abl activity. Does Michael Fox know about this?

Yes, MJFF knows about this small trial, as do all of the other major funding organizations and most people in the PD community. Unfortunately, with all of the publicity this trial received, the research team has yet to secure funding to begin a larger, controlled, phase 2 study. I have heard any number of reasons for the lack of interest and $, but who knows what the truth really is.

[QUOTE=Tupelo3;1205347]This seems to be the latest on the Nilotinib trial. " the second phase of the Nilotinib trial. It's scheduled to start this summer and has funding"

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/ar.../t-220156.html