Parkinson's is a devastating disorder of the nervous system for which there is no treatment or cure. 156 patients with early stage Parkinson's were recruited across France and then randomized to receive lixisenatide or a placebo.
After one year of follow-up, the group that received the treatment, given as an injection, saw no worsening of their movement symptoms. Gastrointestinal side effects were common with the drug and included nausea, vomiting, and reflux. The authors of the new study said they are awaiting results from additional trials that will help confirm their findings.