It is a name that perhaps you have already read on the label of a cough syrup. Ambroxolused for decades to free the respiratory tract, could hide a much bigger power: protect the brain of those who suffer from Parkinson’s dementia. It is not science fiction, but the discovery of a Canadian study that observed, for the first time, surprising effects of this drug on the progression of the disease in a small group of patients.
The idea that an old counter remedy can act in the cerebral level is attracting more and more attention to the scientific community. And now we also want to tell you this story, because it talks about something that concerns us everyone: The future of medicine, and the value of the simplicity he takes care of.
There Parkinson’s dementia It is a very common complication of Parkinson’s disease: within ten years of the diagnosis, it affects about half of patientscausing memory voids, hallucinations and strong changes in mood. A condition that worsens slowly, but without stopping. And unfortunately, until today, No drugs really managed to stop it.
That’s why the results of the Canadian studyconducted at the Lawson Health Research Institutethey made news: 55 patients with Parkinson’s dementia were followed for 12 months e subjected to a Treatment with Ambroxol at high dosesor to a placebo.
Even if, who hired Ambroxol had stable levels of GFAPa marker of the brain damage, while Psychiatric symptoms have worsened only in placebo treated patients.
The most interesting data? The Best answers have been seen in patients with a specific genetic mutation, the GBA1 gene. In them, Ambroxol, but in some cases it has significantly improved cognitive skills. One of them earned up to 11 points In a standard test for memory, a result impossible to ignore.
How Ambroxol works and why they could help those who have the GBA1 gene
To make Ambroxol unique is its ability to Promote the production and correct functioning of a crucial enzyme: glucinebrosidase glucinarrebrosidasalso known as GCASE. This enzyme helps cells to dispose of internal waste. When it does not work well – a common thing precisely in the carriers of the GBA1 gene – toxic waste accumulate that damage brain cells and accelerate neurodegeneration.
Ambroxol, acting like “Molecular accompanying”helps this enzyme to reach the areas where it serves, increasing its presence in brain cells. In the small group of patients treated with Ambroxol, the GCASE levels were significantly higher compared to those who had received the placebo.
Certain, The number of patients with mutation was reduced (only eight) And scientists do not want to draw hasty conclusions. But what emerged It seems too promising to be ignored.
A safe and already used drug for years
Although In Europe it has been sold for decades without prescription As a cough remedy, Ambroxol. In some nations, it is even used in the veterinary field, on horses and dogs.
His security is well documentedas well as tolerance even at high dosageswhich makes it An ideal candidate to be “recycled” as a neurological drug. But the bureaucracy and the slowness of the approval processes make everything more complicated.
Meanwhile, Other studies are already underway in the world: in Australia Ambroxol is being tested on patients with SLA (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)and three important international clinical trials-aspro-pd, aneded and ambitious-are exploring its effects on different Neurodegenerative diseases.
The idea that an economic drug, already available, can help slow down a form of dementia is more than scientific news: it is a concrete promise of a more sustainable, accessible and attentive medicine. A medicine that looks not only at profit, but also to the possibility of cure with what we already have available.
Dr. Stephen Pasternak, the neurologist who led the study, said:
If a drug like Ambroxol can help, it can really give hope and improve the lives of many people.
In the meantime, they are planning new studies specifically aimed at the carriers of the GBA1 geneto understand if this small but significant discovery can become one great opportunity for many patients and their families.
