The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: Ambroxol, a cough medication widely used in Europe, may help **slow down the progression of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Parkinson’s disease dementia**, according to new clinical trial results[1][2][5]. ** A 12-month clinical trial led by Dr. Stephen Pasternak from the Lawson Research Institute tested Ambroxol in 55 people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease dementia. Parkinson’s dementia often causes memory issues, confusion, hallucinations, and mood changes—devastating symptoms that profoundly impact patients and families[1][2][5]. ** Participants were randomly assigned to receive daily Ambroxol or a placebo. Throughout the trial, researchers monitored memory, psychiatric symptoms, and GFAP—a blood marker that signals brain cell damage[2][5]. ** **Safety and Effectiveness** Ambroxol was found to be **safe, well-tolerated, and achieved therapeutic concentrations in the brain**. Importantly, people taking Ambroxol saw their psychiatric symptoms remain stable over the year, whereas those on placebo experienced worsening symptoms[1][2][5]. ** **Potential Brain Protection** The marker for brain cell damage, GFAP, increased in the placebo group but stayed stable in those taking Ambroxol, suggesting Ambroxol may provide a degree of brain protection[1][2][5]. ** **Benefits for High-Risk Patients** Participants with high-risk variants of the *GBA1* gene—linked to more rapid Parkinson’s dementia progression—showed **improved cognitive performance** on Ambroxol, compared to no improvement in the placebo group[1][5]. ** **Study Limitations and Further Research** Some reports indicate that while Ambroxol showed target engagement and safety, **measurable improvements in cognitive scores were not observed for the entire trial population**. The main benefits were stabilization rather than reversal of symptoms, and potential specific benefits for certain genetic groups[3][4]. ** **Regulatory Status** Ambroxol has been used for decades in Europe for respiratory diseases and has an established safety record, including use at high doses and during pregnancy. However, it is **not yet approved in the United States or Canada** for any indication[1][5]. ** **Next Steps** While *current therapies for Parkinson’s dementia only treat symptoms*, Ambroxol offers hope as a possible disease-modifying drug. Researchers emphasize that larger and longer studies are needed to confirm these initial, promising results and to better understand which patients could benefit most[1][2][5]. Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9