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A drug for treating an enlarged prostate has been identified as a potential treatment for the progressive neurodegenerative disorder Parkinson's disease (PD).
Researchers from China, the US, Spain and Italy were able to show that terazosin (TZ) can slow or prevent the loss of neurons in animal models of PD, such as mice, rats and flies.
Previous studies suggested that TZ could help in PD because it increases the activity of the enzyme PGK1, which stimulates energy production, a process that is impaired in this disease.
Because TZ is an approved drug in the US, researchers found that in PD patients who took TZ (and other drugs), there were fewer complications and the disease was diagnosed less often.
"These results show the hidden potential of TZ to slow the progression of PD, which these patients need in order to live good, long lives," said David Dexter of Parkinson's UK.
By: Rotem Reubinoff